An elderly man was shot dead and at least 25 others injured in Narsingdi Sadar upazila in Bangladesh early Thursday in a violent clash between supporters of the Awami League and the BNP. Police identified the victim as Idan Mia, 62, of Muradnagar village.
Authorities said the clash erupted around 5 a.m. between followers of Alokbali union BNP convener Noav Ali and union Awami League president Asad Ali over establishing dominance. At one stage, Awami League activists opened fire, leaving Mia dead on the spot and dozens wounded.
The incident underscores a grim reality: when political parties resort to violence, they betray the democratic values they claim to uphold. Neither the Awami League nor the BNP — or any party — can be considered fit for democratic competition if their supporters turn clashes into bloodshed. True democracy requires restraint, dialogue, and renouncing violence once and for all.