Post-Election Violence Continues in Bangladesh; Several Injured, House Torched

Dhaka – Post-election violence continues to grip Bangladesh, with at least nine people injured and a house set on fire in separate incidents across five districts, according to local media reports.

Clashes intensified in Lalpur upazila of Natore district, where six workers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were injured following a confrontation between rival groups on Saturday night. Police officials confirmed that two suspects were arrested and a firearm was recovered from the site. Authorities have registered a case in connection with the incident.

In another incident in Sherpur district, a BNP worker, identified as Giasuddin Rasel, was injured in an alleged attack by members of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Rasel had reportedly served as an election agent for BNP candidate Sansila Jebrin Priyanka in the Sherpur-1 constituency.

Meanwhile, violence was also reported in Feni district, where a Jamaat worker, Nurul Absar Belal, was allegedly assaulted by BNP supporters at his residence in Dakkhin Bhabanipur village. He was initially treated at a local health facility before being shifted to Feni General Hospital for further treatment.

In Jamalpur district, local journalist Shamsul Huda Ratan was reportedly attacked while covering post-election unrest in Dewanganj upazila. Ratan alleged that he was assaulted by Faruk Ahmed, a senior leader of the BNP’s youth wing, Jubo Dal, along with his associates. The journalist stated that he plans to file a police complaint after recovering from his injuries.

Another violent incident was reported in Khulna district, where unidentified attackers allegedly set fire to the house of Jamaat supporter Shokor Akunji in Mashiali village under Phultala upazila. According to his family, the perpetrators could not be identified.

A recent report by the Human Rights Support Society revealed that election-related violence between October 2025 and February 14, during the country’s 13th parliamentary elections, resulted in at least 10 deaths and 2,503 injuries. The report documented more than 700 violent incidents, with 34 people sustaining bullet injuries and over 500 houses, vehicles, businesses, election offices, and polling centres being vandalised, looted, or set on fire.

Political analysts warn that the country could face continued unrest following the decisive electoral victory of BNP, with Tarique Rahman expected to assume national leadership. Experts have also raised concerns about the challenges of tackling political instability and the rise of extremist elements following the 18-month interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

With inputs from IANS