A local elected official in Bangladesh’s central district of Faridpur has found himself at the centre of an intense political storm after video footage emerged on social media in which he appears to urge supporters to manufacture weapons, promising immunity in the event of a murder.
The controversial remarks were reportedly made by Rafiqul Islam, also known as Rafiq Mullah, the Chairman of the Yadunandi Union Parishad under Saltha Upazila. According to reports, the gathering took place at the Wazirpur market area in Saltha. In the clip, which circulated widely on social platforms, the chairman can allegedly be heard instructing his followers: “Make weapons; if a murder takes place, I will take care of it.”
The release of the video has triggered widespread concern across the local community, where rural political disputes frequently escalate into violent clashes, often involving locally improvised sharp weapons and sticks.
Chairman Rafiqul Islam has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming the video footage was doctored to malign his reputation. He asserted that a rival faction is orchestrated a deliberate smear campaign against him ahead of upcoming local elections. Addressing the controversy, Islam insisted that he has consistently worked to maintain peace in the locality rather than provoke unrest.
To support his stance, Islam cited a recent incident involving a van driver affiliated with his political supporters. He claimed opposition members physically assaulted the driver and seized his vehicle. Rather than retaliating through violence or deploying his supporters to reclaim the van by force, Islam noted that he chose to seek police assistance through proper legal channels to avoid further escalation.
Local law enforcement authorities have maintained a cautious stance regarding the incident. Bablur Rahman Khan, the Officer-in-Charge of Saltha Police Station, stated that he was not initially aware of the video clip but confirmed that police would investigate whether the chairman made such inflammatory statements recently.
Saltha Upazila has a documented history of political rivalries and factional feuds, which often turn violent due to local power struggles. Charges of illegal arms manufacturing and incitement to violence remain critical concerns for regional law enforcement agencies attempting to maintain order across rural administrative units. Police investigations into the authenticity of the recording are expected to determine whether formal charges will be pursued.
