Jamaat’s unruly activists will be ‘taught a lesson

In Bagmara, Rajshahi, a leader of the Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal has been accused of threatening leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami. His statement has gone viral on social media, particularly on Facebook.

Following the incident, Abdul Mannan, vice-president of Jamaat in Nardash Union, submitted a written complaint on Wednesday (28 January) to the Assistant Returning Officer on behalf of Jamaat’s candidate Abdul Bari Sardar.

The accused, 30-year-old Nowshad Mollah, is a resident of Hatmadhangar village in Nardash Union and is reportedly the local leader of the Tanti Dal. According to local sources, he addressed a campaign meeting for BNP candidate DMD Ziaur Rahman in Ward No. 9, Hatmadhangar, on Monday evening. During the speech, he allegedly referred to several Jamaat leaders and said, “There are some unruly Jamaat members in Ward No. 9… If such unruly Jamaat tries to raise its head, they will not be allowed to enter Hatmadhangar village. Handle them as you see fit. If they do not follow the election rules, teach them a lesson.”

Jamaat leader Abdul Mannan claimed that the Tanti Dal leader’s public threat has caused fear among party activists, local residents, and voters, undermining the fairness of the election.

The Assistant Returning Officer and Bagmara Upazila Executive Officer Mahbubul Islam said a letter has been sent to the Election Investigation and Judicial Committee for necessary action.

Four candidates are contesting in the Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) parliamentary constituency, including BNP’s DMD Ziaur Rahman and Jamaat’s Abdul Bari Sardar.