Sarjis Alam, northern region chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a defeated candidate of the 11-party electoral alliance, has alleged that activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) carried out attacks on homes and businesses of his party leaders and workers in more than 30 locations after the election results were announced.
In a post from his verified Facebook account on Friday afternoon, Sarjis urged those involved to step back from what he described as revenge politics and learn from the past. He wrote that many activists were threatened, some had gone into hiding, and BNP needed to clarify whether it intended to continue “old political practices.” He added that his party entered politics to change what he called a culture of hostility and that power is never permanent.
Speaking to the media, Sarjis claimed that since Thursday night incidents had taken place in several areas of Panchagarh, including Dhamor, Gobindapur, Sukhyati, Barasingia, Rampur, Raniganj, Chakla, Mirgarh and Jiabari. He said many victims were physically assaulted and further threats were being issued. He also announced plans for a press conference and said the matter would be tackled politically.
However, Panchagarh district BNP convener Zahirul Islam rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He said the claims were being spread to damage the image of BNP’s winning candidate, Nowshad Jomir, and challenged accusers to provide photo or video evidence if any such incidents had truly occurred.
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, Abdur Rahim (Ripon), a member of the convening committee of the Atwari upazila unit of Jubo Dal, was injured in a sharp-weapon attack near Atwari Pilot Model High School. BNP activists later detained a leader of Chhatra Shakti named Shawon Tanzir and handed him over to police. Rahim was admitted to the Atwari upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Further developments are awaited as tensions continue in the area.
