A violent confrontation between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami in Ishwardi of Pabna on Thursday, November 27, left more than 100 people injured.
Jamaat’s nominated parliamentary candidate for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi–Atgharia), Abu Taleb Mandal is also among the injured, escalating political tensions ahead of the upcoming elections.
The clash erupted around 5:00pm at Yagir intersection in the remote Chargargari village, following a protest rally organised by Jamaat.
According to local sources, the rally was called in response to an alleged assault the previous day on Dr Iqbal Hossain, a Jamaat member from Chargargari, by supporters of Makkel Mridha – the president of Sahapur Union Krishak Dal and a backer of BNP’s primary-nominated candidate, Habibur Rahman.
Jamaat’s Ishwardi Upazila Secretary, M Saidul Islam, told Jago News that their candidate, Abu Taleb Mandal, was en route to the rally with a convoy of over 150 motorcycles when they were ambushed at Yagir intersection. “Makkel Mridha’s supporters attacked us with sticks and crude weapons,” he claimed, adding that more than 100 Jamaat leaders and activists sustained injuries. The attackers also vandalised Mandal’s vehicle and set fire to four motorcycles.
However, BNP disputed this account. Sahapur Union BNP General Secretary Ramzan Ali alleged that it was Jamaat’s motorcycle procession that initiated the violence. “Their convoy attacked our people without provocation,” he said, accusing Jamaat activists of firing “over 40 rounds.”
He claimed more than 50 BNP supporters were injured in the incident.
Firefighter Asaduzzaman of Rooppur Green City Modern Fire Service confirmed arriving at the scene and seeing burnt motorcycles, though the fire had already been brought under control.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ASM Abdur Noor for an official statement or confirmation of arrests, his phone remained unanswered.
The incident underscores growing friction between the two opposition parties in the Pabna-4 constituency, even as both position themselves against the ruling Awami League ahead of national elections. With electoral tensions mounting, such confrontations raise concerns about political violence and law and order in the region.