Tension has mounted in Ishwardi, Pabna, following a violent clash and exchange of gunfire between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The confrontation, which occurred on Thursday (November 27) evening in the Jagir Morh and Char Alhaz Morh areas of Shahapur Union, left nearly fifty leaders and activists from both parties injured, including Professor Abu Taleb Mandal, the Jamaat-nominated candidate for the Pabna-4 constituency.
Shortly after the incident, several videos circulated widely on Facebook, showing a young man openly firing a firearm at opposing party members. The identity of the youth who went viral with the weapon has now been revealed.
Identity of the Armed Youth
The young man seen holding the firearm is Tushar Mandal. He is the son of Taher Mandal of Bhelupara area in Ishwardi Pourashava. According to local sources, Tushar Mandal is a close associate of Mamun Mandal, the nephew of Pabna District Jamaat Ameer Professor Abu Taleb Mandal, and is an active member of Jamaat.
Shariful Islam Sharif, the Convener of Ishwardi Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal (BNP’s volunteer wing), confirmed the identity, stating, “Jamaat worker Tushar Mandal openly fired at BNP activists with a firearm. His picture has already gone viral on social media. Tushar is a key accomplice in all the terrorist activities of Jamaat leader Professor Abu Taleb Mandal’s nephew, Mamun Mandal.”
Conflicting Claims from Both Sides
- BNP’s Allegations: Hamidur Rahman Hamdu Member, President of Shahapur Union BNP, claimed that Jamaat had no pre-scheduled public outreach program and that no one brings carloads of weapons to such events. He alleged that Professor Abu Taleb Mandal “himself took a weapon out of the car and handed it to his workers.” Habibur Rahman Habib, BNP Chairperson’s Advisor and BNP-nominated candidate for Pabna-4, further stated, “Jamaat activists carried weapons in their cars and attacked BNP activists… The armed Jamaat workers are trying to blame the BNP by indiscriminately shooting at the general public after they fled when chased by unified villagers.”
- Jamaat’s Denial: In contrast, Pabna District Jamaat Ameer Professor Abu Taleb Mandal denied that the viral armed youth was a Jamaat worker. He stated in a press conference, “The youth with the weapon is not a member of our party.”
Police Statement
Ishwardi Circle Additional Superintendent of Police, Pranab Kumar, confirmed the clash, stating that “nearly fifty leaders and activists were injured in the clash between the two factions of BNP and Jamaat.” He added that additional police forces have been deployed to the scene and that “action will be taken against the culprits following investigation.”
The area remains tense following the clash, and police are reportedly searching for those involved.
