As the upcoming 13th National Parliament election draws closer, the conflict, conflict, rivalry and throwing of tears against each other have reached an extreme level between BNP and Jamaat in Pabna-4 (Iswardi-Atgharia) parliamentary constituency.
BNP Chairperson's advisor and Pabna District BNP convener Habibur Rahman Habib is continuing the election campaign for BNP's primary nomination in this constituency. On the other hand, District Jamaat Ameer Abu Taleb Mandal is roaming the field with Jamaat's nomination.
Recently, there were scuffles, chases, office vandalism, arson and beatings between the local BNP and Jamaat over the college managing committee elections in Atgharia upazila of Pabna-4 parliamentary constituency. Even then, sporadic incidents continue to occur around this constituency. On November 27, Jamaat candidate Abu Taleb Mandal went to Sahapur in Ishwardi upazila to campaign and seek votes with his followers. A clash between BNP and Jamaat took place that day due to a previous dispute with the local BNP. More than fifty motorcycles were vandalized and set on fire. During the clash and chase between the two groups, indiscriminate shooting occurred. Leaders and supporters of both sides were injured. Passersby were also not left out.
Jamaat candidate Abu Taleb Mandal held a press conference at night regarding the situation that arose. He complained at the press conference that on that day, Jamaat leaders and workers were peacefully going door to door to seek votes. But BNP candidate Habibur Rahman Habib's people got jealous and got involved in arguments and verbal disputes. At one point, they attacked me and my leaders and workers. My leaders and workers were beaten up to save their lives. BNP's goons vandalized my car. They also tried to kill me. Due to the situation, my leaders and workers chased them and rescued me.
Meanwhile, BNP candidate Habibur Rahman Habib held a press conference at the Pabna Press Club on Saturday afternoon. At the press conference, he alleged that the Razakar army, the killers of 1971, has become desperate to seize Bengal again. They have started attacking, suing and torturing BNP leaders and workers one after another.
Habib said that Jamaat candidate Abu Taleb Mandal has deployed the Mahila Talim Bahini in Ishwardi and Atgharia, my constituency. The Shibir student organization and the women's Jamaat cadre force are making women voters touch the Quran with their hands and make them promise. On the other hand, they are collecting their national identity card numbers and taking them away. While leaving, Shibir and Jamaat leaders and workers are showing weapons and forcing them to vote at the scales.
BNP candidate Habibur Rahman Habib alleged that the police are also behaving in a biased manner. During the clash in Sahapur, Shibir cadres opened fire with open weapons, but for unknown reasons, the police are not arresting them. He said that the police are afraid of Jamaat Shibir. There is a suspicion among the law enforcement agencies that if any Jamaat Shibi leader or worker is caught, the police will surround the police station or SP office.
Several BNP leaders alleged at the press conference that even if a case is filed at the police station in a one-sided incident, the police are demanding that both parties be charged. Police are telling BNP leaders and activists that if Jamaat candidate Abu Taleb Mondal is made an accused, BNP candidate Habibur Rahman Habib will also be an accused in another case.
BNP leaders Abdullah Al Mahmud Mannan Master, Abdus Samad Khan Montu, Anisul Haque Babu, Nur Mohammad Masum Baga, Sheikh Tuhin, and women's party leader Purnima Islam were present at the press conference.
Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ASM Abdun Nur's official number could not be reached despite repeated calls to inquire about the related matter. The phone of Additional Superintendent of Police Ishwardi Circle was also switched off.
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