Pabna, May 21 (V7N) - Five days after a violent clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Atgharia, Pabna, two separate cases have been filed by each of the rival parties. However, no arrests have been made so far, and the situation in the area remains tense, with additional police deployed to prevent further unrest.

Atgharia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shafiquzzaman confirmed that both sides submitted separate statements on Tuesday (May 20) night, leading to the registration of the cases. For the sake of investigation, the OC declined to reveal the names of the accused in the two cases.

The case filed by BNP, registered as Case Number 7, names Atgharia Upazila BNP joint convener Ashim Uddin as the plaintiff. It accuses 124 named Jamaat members and many other unknown individuals of attacking, vandalizing, and assaulting people at the BNP office in the upazila.

Conversely, the case filed by Jamaat, registered as Case Number 8, names Maulana Md. Naqibullah, Amir of Atgharia Upazila Jamaat, as the plaintiff. This case accuses 36 prominent BNP members and 120-150 unknown individuals of attack, vandalism, arson, cocktail explosions, and assault at the Upazila Jamaat office.

OC Md. Shafiquzzaman stated, "We are investigating the two cases. We will take legal action against those involved in the incident, subject to investigation. Our drive is continuing." Responding to a complaint from Jamaat regarding unsatisfactory police involvement, the OC asserted, "We have come to do our job. No party is in power now. We will play a neutral role. We will do our job by following the legal process."

Atgharia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Minhajul Islam recounted the events, stating that the college principal first informed him about an obstruction in collecting a nomination form on the day of the incident. He then contacted the police station OC, who also went to the scene, and the situation normalized. Jamaat later informed him verbally and then submitted a written complaint. The UNO said he called both parties that afternoon, but "before that, an unexpected incident suddenly happened."

UNO Minhajul also mentioned that "after the incident, the college committee members sat down to discuss what to do. We are still discussing the matter. We are taking action on the next steps as per the rules and regulations." When asked about inspecting the scene after the alleged vandalism and arson at the Jamaat office by BNP, he declined to comment.

Regarding the absence of Jumu'ah prayers at the Debottar Bazar Jame Mosque the following day, Friday (May 16), UNO Minhajul Islam said, "I came to know about the incident just before the prayers. I said we would sit down and take action after the Jumu'ah prayers. And at that time, no one was available immediately. Later, it was resolved."

Maulana Md. Belal Hossain, the Imam of Debottar Bazar Jame Mosque, described the events that led to the cancellation of Friday prayers. He stated that on the day of the incident, at 8 pm, UNO called him to the spot. During their conversation, at the time of Isha prayers, Belal Hossain told the UNO he needed to leave. At that moment, Milton, son of BNP leader Achim Uddin, allegedly called him and punched him in the face. The OC reportedly reprimanded them for assaulting an Imam. Maulana Belal emphasized that he was in the mosque the entire time and did not participate in any processions or meetings.

Maulana Belal further stated, "Then at night, I recited the name of Isha and went home. In the morning, I prayed the Fajr prayer alone in the mosque. No one came. Because panic had spread at night. The situation was chaotic. In the morning, my son-in-law told me that the situation was not good. You should leave here quickly." He then informed the mosque's president and secretary, who, after inquiring, confirmed the hostile environment and advised him to leave and hand over the key to someone. "As per the secretary's instructions, I gave the key of the mosque to a man named Ujjal and left quickly. I don't know anything about the mosque being locked later and the prayers not being held. Basically, for my own safety, the president of the mosque, on the advice of the secretary, I had to go somewhere else."

The clashes originated on May 15, lasting from noon to evening, between BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists over a nomination form for the post of guardian member of Debottar Degree (Honours) College in Atgharia Upazila. During these confrontations, party offices of both sides and 23 motorcycles were vandalized, and several individuals from both factions sustained injuries. BNP leaders and activists also set fire to the Jamaat office, which was later extinguished by the fire service. Both parties held separate protest rallies the following day, escalating tensions with counter-allegations.

Adding to the controversy, on May 17, BNP Chairperson's advisor and Pabna District BNP convener Habibur Rahman Habib publicly warned, "No muezzin of Jamaat-e-Islami will be able to give the call to prayer and no imam will be able to lead prayers in Atgharia, Pabna." A video of his statement subsequently went viral on social media. In that speech, Habib also claimed that "Last Friday (May 16) people were unable to offer Friday prayers at the Debottar Bazar Jame Mosque in Atgharia due to Jamaat. They locked it and fled. What a shameful incident. Jamaat tells lies. Prayers are not held behind them."

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