Pabna, Aug 20 (V7N) — A former leader of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) allegedly caused panic in Ishwardi town of Pabna by publicly displaying a licensed shotgun while wearing white burial shrouds around his head and body.

The incident took place at Ishwardi municipal area on Monday afternoon. The man, identified as Zubayer Hossain Bappi, also known locally as ‘Hup Bappi’, was accused of publicly threatening to kill Mehedi Hasan, a former member secretary of the Ishwardi Upazila unit of Jubo Dal.

According to witnesses and police sources, Bappi came out of his home in College Road at around 4:30pm wearing white shroud cloth and carrying his licensed shotgun. He reportedly moved towards Zero Point Railway Crossing and later went to Ishwardi Police Station.

Bappi claimed that several people had threatened to kill him and said he had taken to the streets to openly challenge those allegedly involved in the threats, as well as people involved in drug dealing and usury.

The incident created tension in Ishwardi town and around the main entrance of the police station from Monday afternoon until around 9pm.

Police later seized Bappi’s firearm and took him into custody over allegations of publicly displaying a weapon and creating fear among residents.

Mehedi Hasan alleged that Bappi had approached the railway crossing with the firearm, verbally abused him and threatened to kill him. He demanded Bappi’s arrest and cancellation of his firearm licence.

After news spread that Bappi was at the police station, Mehedi Hasan, BNP leader Anwar Hossain Jony and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing gathered outside the station and staged a protest.

Bappi is the son of Abul Hossain of Mashuria Para in Ishwardi town. He is known to support a faction of the local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and identifies himself as a former JCD leader, although his specific former position could not be independently verified.

Later at night, Bappi and five others who had accompanied him were handed over to the District Detective Branch (DB) of police. The DB subsequently released them after obtaining written undertakings from their families.

Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asadur Rahman said Golam Rabbi, the manager of Mehedi Hasan’s establishment, had filed a written complaint alleging that Bappi had issued death threats against Mehedi.

“The complaint will be investigated and legal action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated,” the officer said.

He added that police were also examining whether Bappi had violated any conditions attached to his firearm licence.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any criminal case has been formally filed in connection with the alleged threats or public display of the firearm.

END/MSR/SMA/