Bangladesh BNP-Jamaat scuffle in Kushtia leaves police officer, another person injured

A scuffle between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami over rival protest programs in Kushtia injured two people Saturday, including a police officer, authorities said.

The confrontation occurred at Ajutla Bazar in Mirpur after both groups organized separate programs at the same location around the same time.

Police and local residents said tensions developed after BNP leaders alleged Friday that a political discussion had been held at a mosque in the area.

Jamaat supporters completed their program and left before BNP activists arrived. An argument between BNP activists and several Jamaat leaders later escalated into a scuffle and chase.

Mirpur Police Station officer-in-charge Shahidul Islam was injured while police intervened. Another person was also hurt but was not immediately identified.

Islam said he received primary treatment for a minor injury. He said additional police were deployed and patrols and surveillance were increased.