The Tamesis
February 2, 2026
Dhaka – At least three people were injured in a scuffle between supporters of two candidates running for the upcoming national elections in Patuakali 3 constituency on Saturday night.
Gono Odika Parishad President Nurul Haq Noor is campaigning here under the banner of the BNP-led alliance, while Central Committee member Hassan Mamoun, who was expelled from the BNP, is contesting as an independent candidate.
Supporters of both candidates held a march in Dakua area under Galachipa upazila in support of their respective candidates, police and eyewitnesses said.
Garachippa Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Md Zillur Rahman said a scuffle broke out when two groups came face to face near Chhatra Government Primary School around 11:00 am.
However, as of the filing of this report at approximately 8:00pm last night, no complaint had been made to the police in this regard.
Three people injured in the melee have been admitted to the Garachipa Upazila Medical Centre, Dr Niyamul Hussain, medical officer of the Garachipa Upazila Medical Centre, said.
The Olympic Committee also confirmed that three people were injured in the incident.
However, Mamun and Noor could not be reached by phone for comment.
Locals say relations between the groups are becoming tense as polling day approaches.
Tensions escalated as both groups announced plans for elections on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the same place and at the same time.
The district’s deputy commissioner (DC) and returning officer (RO) Dr Mohammad Shaheed Hossain Chowdhury on Saturday issued notices to both candidates asking them not to hold events at the same place and time.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Nurul Haq Noor said his plans were announced earlier and Mamoun’s later announcement conflicted with his schedule.
However, Mamun could not be reached for comment by phone.
Galachipa Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Mahmudul Hasan said, “Enforcement personnel have been deployed at the spot. Both candidates have been directed to obtain permission before holding the program there.”
Meanwhile, in Noakhali-2 constituency, independent candidate Kazi Mofizur Rahman claimed that one of his election offices was attacked and vandalized by supporters of his rival, the candidate nominated by the BNP.
The incident took place in Bhorer Bazar area under Sonaimuri upazila around 12:00 pm yesterday.
“At least three of my supporters were injured in the attack,” Mofizul told the Daily Star in a telephone interview last night.
Last night, when reporters called Zainu Abedin Farooq, the candidate for the BNP nomination, a person who claimed to be Farooq’s assistant said after receiving the call: “This is a small matter and we have solved the problem.”
OC Kabir Hossain of Sonaimulli police station confirmed the incident and said no complaint was lodged with the police in this regard.
Sonaimuri’s UNO and ARO Nasrin Akter said legal action will be taken if a written complaint is lodged
Neither the Olympic Committee nor the United Nations organization could say how many people were injured.
In Gazipur-2 constituency, NCP-nominated candidate Ali Naser Khan claimed that a supporter of the BNP candidate tried to kill him on Saturday night.
In a telephone interview with The Daily Star yesterday, Nasser Khan said that around 8:00 pm on Saturday, two supporters of BNP candidate M Manjurul Karim Rony tried to run him over with a private car while he was campaigning in Porabari Bazar area of Gazipur city.
Md Shahrear Nazir, additional deputy commissioner of Gazipur and head of the media wing of the electoral officer’s office in Gazipur, said Naseer Khan has lodged a complaint over the matter and legal action will be taken after investigation.
Manjurul Karim Rony could not be reached by phone.
But his election steering committee member Sak Javed Ahmed Suman said the allegation was false.
[Our correspondents from Patuakhali, Noakhali and Gazipur contributed to the report]
