BNP-Jamaat clash in Pabna leaves ‘over 50’ injured
Local residents later rushed the injured to nearby healthcare facilities
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists locked in a clash in Ishwardi of Pabna today (27 November), leaving reportedly over 50 injured.
Locals said Jamaat's MP candidate for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atghoria) constituency, Abu Taleb Mondal, was heading from Rahimpur Bottola to Char Gorgori Alhaj Mor with a convoy of over 150 motorcycles when his procession met a BNP rally at Jogir Mor, triggering the clash between the two groups.
Mondal alleged that BNP supporters led by Habibur Rahman Habib, the party's candidate for the constituency, injured 60-70 Jamaat supporters in an attack.
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The Jamaat leader alleged, "We went there as part of our scheduled programme, but BNP supporters led by Habibur Rahman Habib attacked us with weapons and even opened fire. Over 60-70 of our people were injured, some seriously, and a few were sent to Rajshahi Medical College. Around 15 motorcycles were burned and 30 were taken away."
BNP leader Habib, on the other hand, alleged that their 15-20 activists were injured by supporters of Jamaat.
"Jamaat supporters attacked our activists. During self-defence, 15-20 of our people were injured. Jamaat is spreading false claims against me, and Mondal himself led the attack," he said.
Police, however, put the number much lower, suggesting both sides reported exaggerated figures.
Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge ASM Abdun Nur said, "There was a minor clash between the groups, and 4-5 people were injured from both sides. Nothing more to comment."
Meanwhile, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, in a statement today, expressed protest and alleged that supporters of BNP candidate Habib carried out the attack.
