Pabna, July 26 (V7N) — Pabna-1 Member of Parliament Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen has alleged that an attack on Jamaat-e-Islami activists and worshippers at a mosque in Santhia Upazila was premeditated by members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and carried out under the direct and indirect instructions of Prime Minister's Special Assistant Syed Bin Abdullah.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Imam Hossain Auditorium of the Santhia Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami office on Friday night, Momen claimed that Syed Bin Abdullah was using his political influence in local affairs instead of focusing on his official responsibilities.

According to the MP, he had gone to lead the Friday prayers at Aftabnagar Bazar Jame Mosque with the approval of the mosque committee and at the request of local worshippers. He alleged that BNP activists had planned in advance to prevent him from doing so and later entered the mosque, where they attacked Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, activists, and worshippers.

Momen also called for the immediate removal of Santhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Anichur Rahman, accusing him of bias and describing him as an associate of the previous "fascist" regime. He further alleged that the police official had been involved in bribery and extortion and was harassing Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists.

The MP claimed that victims of the incident were prevented from filing a police case, alleging that police blocked access to the station and discouraged complainants from submitting formal complaints. These allegations could not be independently verified.

Former Santhia Upazila Chairman Maulana Mokhlesur Rahman, Acting Upazila Ameer Professor Anichur Rahman, Acting Upazila Secretary Mostafa Kamal Manik, and other local Jamaat leaders were present at the press conference.

The allegations follow an incident on Friday, shortly before the Jumu'ah sermon at Aftabnagar Bazar Jame Mosque. Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, son of the late former Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, arrived to lead the Friday prayers. During the second sermon, BNP supporters present at the mosque reportedly objected, leading to a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical confrontation between Jamaat supporters and BNP activists inside the mosque. The incident heightened tensions across Santhia Upazila.

There was no immediate response from Syed Bin Abdullah, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or the Santhia Police Station regarding the allegations at the time of publication.

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