Mob Attacks Former MP’s Convoy Following Election Defeat

In a stark reminder of the simmering tensions following the recent general elections, the vehicle of Abul Bashar Akanda, a former Member of Parliament for the Mymensingh-2 (Phulpur-Tarakanda) constituency, was intercepted and vandalised by an angry mob on Saturday afternoon. The incident, which took place around 4:30 pm at the Balia Mor area in Phulpur, resulted in significant damage to the car and injuries to the driver.

The Spark of Conflict

The confrontation erupted amidst accusations of political betrayal. Abul Bashar Akanda, a central vice-president of the Krishak Dal and a former MP from the 1996 term, had reportedly sought the BNP nomination for the latest election. After being denied the ticket in favour of Motahar Hossain Talukdar, local party activists allege that Akanda not only withdrew his support for the Sheaf of Paddy (the BNP symbol) but actively campaigned for the opposition.

The electoral results for the seat further fuelled the animosity, as the BNP candidate suffered a narrow defeat to the 11-party alliance candidate, as shown below:

Escalation at Balia Mor

The violence broke out when Akanda visited a cotton warehouse that had caught fire earlier in the day. As his convoy arrived, a group of activists—identified by witnesses as members of the BNP and its youth wing, Jubo Dal—surrounded the vehicle. The mob shattered the car’s windows and assaulted the driver, Md. Arman, who required medical attention.

Local Jubo Dal member Waheduzzaman Mithun claimed the attack was a spontaneous outburst of public anger. “He betrayed the party and worked for the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol [Khelafat Majlish] instead of the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’,” Mithun stated. “The boys were furious, though I personally stepped in to stop the destruction.”

Police Intervention

The situation threatened to spiral out of control as Akanda’s supporters engaged in a series of counter-chases with the rival faction, briefly blockading the Haluaghat-Mymensingh regional highway.

Mohammad Rashedul Hasan, the Officer-in-Charge of Phulpur Police Station, confirmed that a police detachment was deployed to rescue the former MP. “We managed to de-escalate the standoff and escorted the vehicle and the former MP to safety. The situation in Phulpur is currently stable, though we are monitoring for further reprisal attacks,” he noted.