Jamaat Official Attacked in Faridpur

A senior local organiser for Jamaat-e-Islami was seriously injured in a targeted machete attack in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila on Tuesday, underscoring renewed concerns over political violence during an election campaign period. Nur Alam Munshi, 40, the president of the Azimnagar Union election management committee for Jamaat’s Faridpur-4 candidate Maulana Sarwar Hossain, was ambushed in broad daylight near the Tarail bus stand on the service lane of the Dhaka–Bhanga Highway.

According to party officials and witnesses, the assailants arrived on several motorcycles, each rider wearing a helmet to conceal his identity. They reportedly surrounded Mr Munshi and struck him repeatedly with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene within moments. Bystanders rushed the bleeding victim to the Bhanga Upazila Health Complex, where he was admitted with deep head wounds and lacerations to other parts of his body. Medical staff described his injuries as serious but stabilised after initial treatment; he was later referred for further care due to the severity of the head trauma.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Munshi said he had been travelling by motorcycle to the Maligram party office to collect campaign leaflets for Maulana Sarwar Hossain. He stopped briefly to take a phone call when the attackers approached. “They came on several motorcycles, all wearing helmets, and began striking my head without warning,” he said. “They told me to stop working for the Jamaat candidate. Because of the helmets, I could not recognise any of them.” His account suggests the assault was politically motivated and intended to intimidate campaign workers.

Local Jamaat leaders condemned the attack and called for an impartial investigation. Dr Enayet Hossain, the party’s Bhanga municipal ameer, said the incident appeared to be a calculated attempt to disrupt lawful campaigning and instil fear among organisers. He added that the party would pursue legal remedies and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of political workers during the campaign.

Police acknowledged awareness of the incident but said no formal complaint had yet been lodged. Bhanga police station’s officer-in-charge, Abdul Alim, stated that an investigation would be opened and legal action taken once a complaint was filed. Residents in the area reported heightened anxiety following the attack and called for increased patrols along the busy highway service roads, where campaigners and commuters frequently stop.

The episode highlights persistent vulnerabilities in ensuring safe political participation at the grassroots level. Civil society figures in Faridpur have urged all parties to renounce violence and cooperate with law enforcement to prevent further incidents, warning that impunity would embolden attackers and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Incident at a Glance

Authorities have been urged to expedite protective measures for campaign workers and ensure swift accountability to deter further violence as political activities intensify across the district.