Tensions rise between BNP & Jamaat over rallies in Jhenaidah

The incident occurred around 6 pm at Surat Bazar in Sadar Upazila. Local sources said the Surat Union Jamaat office had called for a protest rally after alleging irregularities in the distribution of government fertilizer and seeds the previous night. The rally began Saturday afternoon.

Later, local BNP activists alleged that Jamaat leaders made provocative remarks targeting BNP during the rally. When BNP supporters asked them to refrain from such comments, tensions flared between the two groups, prompting police to deploy additional forces at the scene to restore order.

Jamaat leader Iqbal Hossain claimed, “We were holding a peaceful protest. BNP activists attempted to attack us with sticks, but local residents intervened and calmed the situation.”

In response, at 7 pm, the Surat Union BNP organized a protest march at the same location, led by former UP chairman Billal Hossain. Speaking at a short gathering after the march, Hossain accused Jamaat leaders of making provocative statements against BNP, attempting to trap party supporters, and urged patience while countering such schemes.

He also noted that the seized fertilizer and seeds had indeed come from the Jamaat office and criticized attempts to cover up the facts.

Maulana Habibur Rahman, Sadar Upazila Jamaat Amir, alleged that since August 5, Jamaat support in Jhenaidah had increased, prompting BNP to orchestrate a mob under the pretext of fertilizer recovery to discredit the party. He said locals had recognized the BNP’s alleged conspiracy.

Sadar Thana Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that heightened tensions had emerged between the supporters of the two parties. He said, “As soon as we received reports, police were deployed at Surat Bazar. We have called on all parties to maintain peace and public order.”

The situation reportedly remained under control after the deployment of additional police personnel, reports UNB.