PABNA, Feb 13, (V7N) – Allegations of vandalism and looting have surfaced in Atgharia upazila of Pabna following the announcement of election results involving the paddy sheaf symbol.

According to local sources, a group of Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists allegedly attacked the house of an Awami League worker and vandalized a local BNP party office in Srikantpur village under Debottar Union on election night, shortly after the results were declared around midnight on Thursday.

Residents said Abdul Latif Khan, a local political activist from Srikantpur village, had long been involved in Awami League politics but later became active in local BNP politics following the fall of the previous government on August 5. He reportedly voted for the BNP candidate in the recent national election.

There is a polling centre in Srikantpur village under the Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atgharia) constituency, where the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate was defeated.

Victim Abdul Latif Khan alleged that after learning about the defeat at that centre, a group of around 25 to 30 people, reportedly led by Palash, nephew of district Jamaat-e-Islami Naib-e-Amir Maulana Zahurul Islam and former chairman of Atgharia Upazila Parishad, attacked his residence around midnight.

He claimed the attackers entered the house, vandalised doors, windows, and furniture, and looted valuables. Allegations also state that the attackers later carried out vandalism at the local BNP party office while continuing acts of looting in the area.

In protest of the incident, local BNP leaders and activists brought out a protest procession around 11:30 am on Friday, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

Officer-in-Charge of Atgharia Police Station, Rafiqul Islam, said police visited the scene after receiving the information. Describing it as alleged post-election violence, he stated that the victim has been asked to file a formal complaint and assured that legal action would be taken against those involved once a case is lodged.

Attempts to contact District Jamaat-e-Islami Naib-e-Amir Maulana Zahurul Islam for comment were unsuccessful as he could not be reached by phone.

END/SRP/RH/