Post-Election Violence Grips Bangladesh; Nine Injured Across Five Districts, House Set Ablaze

Dhaka, Feb 16: Post-election tensions continue to simmer across Bangladesh, with at least nine people injured and a house torched in fresh incidents of violence reported from five districts, according to local media accounts. The unrest, unfolding in the aftermath of the 13th national parliamentary elections, has raised concerns over law and order as political rivalries spill onto the streets.

The most serious incident was reported from Lalpur upazila in Natore district, where a clash broke out late Saturday night between two rival groups of workers belonging to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The confrontation left at least six people injured. Confirming the incident, Lalpur police station officer-in-charge Md Mojibar Rahman said police intervened promptly, arrested two suspects, and recovered a firearm from the scene. A formal case has also been registered in connection with the violence.

The clashes in Natore were part of a broader pattern of post-poll unrest that has been reported from several regions. In Sherpur district’s Sadar upazila, a BNP worker was injured in an alleged attack by members of Jamaat-e-Islami. The injured man, identified as 35-year-old Giasuddin Rasel, had served as an election agent for BNP candidate Sansila Jebrin Priyanka, who was defeated in the Sherpur-1 constituency. He was taken to a local medical facility following the assault.

In another politically charged incident, a Jamaat-e-Islami worker was reportedly attacked by BNP supporters in Dakkhin Bhabanipur village of Daganbhuyan upazila in Feni district. According to family members, the victim, Nurul Absar Belal, was assaulted at his home. He was initially treated at a local health complex before being referred to Feni General Hospital for further care. The incident has further highlighted the tit-for-tat nature of the violence unfolding in different parts of the country.

The unrest has not spared members of the media either. In Jamalpur district, local journalist Shamsul Huda Ratan was injured while covering reports of post-election violence in Dewanganj upazila. Speaking to The Daily Star, Ratan alleged that he was attacked by Faruk Ahmed, a senior joint convener of the municipal unit of BNP’s youth wing, Jubo Dal, along with several associates. Ratan said he had gone to Mondol Bazar to gather information on election-related disturbances when the attack occurred. “I am still unwell and intend to file a police complaint,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Khulna district’s Phultala upazila, a group of unidentified assailants reportedly set fire to the house of a Jamaat supporter, Shokor Akunji, in Mashiali village late Saturday night. The fire caused significant damage to the property. “We could not identify the attackers,” said Akunji’s son, Abdur Razzak, adding to the sense of fear and uncertainty gripping the area.

The latest wave of violence comes against the backdrop of alarming data released by the Dhaka-based Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). In a report issued on Sunday, the organisation said at least 10 people were killed and 2,503 injured in election-related violence between October 2025 and February 14, covering the period of the 13th parliamentary elections. According to HRSS, more than 700 violent incidents were recorded nationwide, with 34 people sustaining bullet injuries. The report also noted that over 500 houses, vehicles, businesses, election offices, and polling centres were vandalised, looted, or set ablaze.

With Tarique Rahman set to assume leadership following the BNP’s decisive electoral victory, analysts caution that Bangladesh faces the formidable task of restoring stability and curbing rising Islamist extremism. Much of the recent unrest, experts say, has its roots in the political volatility and security challenges witnessed during the 18-month tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

As the new administration prepares to take charge, the scale and spread of post-election violence underscore the urgent need for reconciliation, accountability, and firm action to prevent further deterioration of public order.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)