Violence broke out in Chouddagram of Cumilla following a night of vandalism and arson, leading to clashes on Monday between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Both parties have accused each other of carrying out the attacks. According to party sources, at least five Jamaat supporters and around ten BNP activists were injured.

The confrontation took place around midday at Dhanijakra Bazaar in Shubhapur Union. The unrest began the previous night, when multiple areas of the upazila witnessed attacks on BNP supporters’ homes and party offices, as well as arson targeting Jamaat’s election offices, business establishments, and a vehicle belonging to an educational institution.

Police and army personnel were deployed to maintain order, said Chouddagram police chief Abu Mahmud Kawsar Hossain. He stated that the situation is currently under control, though no formal complaints have yet been submitted by either side.

Local residents reported that around 11:00 pm on Sunday, miscreants damaged and looted several rooms at the home of BNP activist Bacchu Mia in Dhanijakra village. Shortly afterward, a BNP party office in the nearby market area was also vandalized.

News of these incidents quickly spread, and later that night a bus belonging to Ayesha Siddika (RA) Women’s Madrasa in Batisha Union was set on fire. At the same time, several Jamaat-linked properties, including party offices and shops in Shubhapur and Kalikapur Unions, were also torched.

The tension culminated in violent clashes on Monday afternoon in Dhanijakra and later in Munshihat, where four motorcycles were reportedly burned. Several individuals from both sides were injured during the confrontations.

In protest against the attack on the madrasa transport and to demand the arrest of those responsible, guardians, teachers, students, and members of the managing committee formed a human chain in Nankara.

Jamaat’s upazila secretary, Md. Belal Hossain, claimed that BNP activists deliberately carried out arson to create fear ahead of the election. He alleged that three Jamaat election offices and nearby establishments were targeted in a planned manner.

On the other hand, BNP’s organizing secretary, Md. Gias Uddin, accused Jamaat supporters of staging the incidents themselves to mislead the public. He said Jamaat-Shibir activists first attacked BNP supporters’ homes and offices and later assaulted BNP leaders in the presence of police.

According to BNP leaders, 10–12 of their activists were injured, and one was taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment.