BNP Leaders and Activists Accused of Attacking Jamaat Office in Pabna. BNP leaders and activists have been accused of attacking and vandalizing a Jamaat-e-Islami office in Pabna. On Sunday (February 16) afternoon, Saiful Islam, president of the youth wing of Jamaat’s Ward No. 3 in Himaitpur Union of Sadar Upazila, filed a written complaint at the police station regarding the incident. Several local BNP leaders and activists were named as the accused.
BNP Leaders and Activists Accused: Jamaat activists alleged that a land dispute had been ongoing for some time between local Jamaat leader Abdullah Karim and Yakub Ali, former joint general secretary of Maligacha Union BNP in the district headquarters. On Saturday afternoon, an argument and scuffle broke out between supporters of both groups. Later, around 10 PM, the Jamaat office in Ward No. 3 of Himaitpur Union was attacked. Several shops and the Jamaat office were vandalized, and a motorcycle was set on fire.
Jamaat leader Abdullah Karim claimed that since August 5, Yakub Ali and his associates had been trying to assert dominance in the area. He alleged that under Yakub Ali’s instructions, the attack on the Jamaat office was carried out to demonstrate their strength. Around 10 PM on Saturday, 25-30 armed individuals carrying pistols, guns, machetes, and Chinese axes attacked and vandalized the local Jamaat office in Kumarghari, Himaitpur Union. They also ransacked and looted a grocery store, vandalized an autorickshaw garage, and attacked Abdullah Karim’s house. A motorcycle parked nearby was set on fire. Afterward, the attackers detonated crude bombs and fired gunshots to spread panic before fleeing the scene.
However, BNP leader Yakub Ali denied all allegations, saying, “I have no knowledge of this incident. When I received a call from the police officer at the time, I went to the scene and dispersed the crowd. I know nothing beyond that. These false accusations are being made against me to tarnish my political reputation. I strongly protest this.”
Regarding the incident, Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Salam told that authorities visited the scene upon receiving reports. He confirmed that the conflict stemmed from a land dispute between the two parties, leading to unrest and vandalism. However, there was no evidence of gunfire. The matter is under investigation, and legal action will be taken accordingly.
