Rezaul Karim, Secretary of Sribardi Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, was hacked to death in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, following violent clashes between supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP. 

According to local journalists, eyewitnesses, and video footage, Karim sustained fatal injuries to his head and below the ear during a series of attacks and counter-attacks allegedly carried out by BNP supporters.

The violence stemmed from a seemingly minor dispute over front-row seating at a manifesto-launching ceremony held at Jhenaigati Stadium. 

The event, organized by the Assistant Returning Officer (UNO), was scheduled for 2:30 PM and involved all candidates contesting the Sherpur-3 constituency, which includes Jhenaigati and Sribardi Upazilas.

Supporters of Jamaat candidate Nuruzzaman Badal arrived early and occupied the front rows. BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, delayed by campaigning in Sribardi, reached the venue later along with his supporters. 

By that time, most of the approximately 500 front-row seats had been taken by Jamaat supporters.

BNP leaders requested the UNO to ensure equal seating. In response, the UNO asked the Jamaat candidate to vacate some chairs. Badal used the microphone to request his supporters to move, but they refused and instead cleared seats at the back. 

This led to rising tension, slogan chanting by both sides, and attempts to forcibly remove Jamaat supporters from the front rows. A scuffle followed, escalating into chair-throwing and a physical brawl. 

While there are conflicting accounts over who initiated the violence, witnesses said police present at the venue did not intervene and remained passive.

Following the clash, BNP activists left the stadium and positioned themselves south of the area in Jhenaigati Bazar, while the Jamaat candidate and his supporters stayed inside the stadium. 

Soon after, tension intensified following rumors of a Facebook post by an individual named Fahmi Golandaj Sohel, allegedly threatening that Jamaat candidate Badal would be slaughtered if found.

After the program, Badal and his supporters from Sribardi Upazila needed to pass through Jhenaigati Bazar to return home or alternatively take a longer rural detour. 

Despite requests from the UNO and BNP leaders to avoid the market and head north, Badal refused to take the detour. The administration offered to escort Badal alone through the market road, but he demanded security for all his supporters, repeatedly stating, “I will not flee.” 

He feared that avoiding the market would be portrayed politically as retreating in fear. This standoff continued for nearly two hours, from around 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

BNP activists, stationed in the market and reportedly armed with local weapons, also refused to allow Badal to use the road. Police requests to clear the route were rejected. 

During this period, an unidentified person addressed BNP supporters over a microphone, delivering an inflammatory speech claiming that the people had rejected “secret militant organizations.” 

BNP leaders declared that Badal must take the detour or face resistance, warning that otherwise the people of Sribardi would be attacked. Neither the police nor the UNO were able to resolve the impasse.

At around 5:45 PM, approximately 1,000 Jamaat activists marched from the stadium into the market area in a procession. BNP supporters positioned about 200 yards away began chanting slogans and throwing stones, triggering heavy brickbat exchanges between the two groups. 

Video footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that BNP activists initially retreated under the Jamaat advance. One BNP supporter was seen lying injured on the road after being struck by a brick thrown by Jamaat activists. 

Despite retreating, BNP activists did not abandon the road. The Army and police then positioned themselves between the two sides.

About 15 minutes later, BNP activists regrouped and launched a counter-chase, armed with sticks and local weapons. Jamaat supporters scattered, fleeing toward the northwestern road and back toward the stadium. 

Rezaul Karim fell behind during the retreat. He was surrounded by BNP activists and hacked to death.

There are also reports that a member of the Army was injured during the clashes, though details remain unconfirmed.

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