Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for the immediate preparation of a list of armed terrorists, their swift arrest, and the recovery of all illegal weapons in order to ensure an environment conducive to free, fair, and impartial elections in the country.
The party’s Central Majlis-e-Shura stated that such actions are essential to securing the electoral environment and protecting ordinary citizens as well as political activists from violence and intimidation.
The annual session of Jamaat’s Central Majlis-e-Shura was held on Saturday (29 November) at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, presided over by the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The information was confirmed through a press release issued by Mujibul Alam, Senior Assistant Director of the party’s Central Publicity Department.
According to the statement, on 27 November, armed BNP terrorists allegedly attacked a Jamaat procession in Ishwardi, Pabna. Attackers reportedly carried firearms and other weapons, injuring approximately 60 to 70 Jamaat activists, some of whom are said to be in critical condition. The statement also accused the Officer-in-Charge of Ishwardi Police Station of displaying partiality during the incident.
In addition, Jamaat reported recent attacks on its leaders and activists by BNP supporters in multiple districts, including Chandpur’s Hajiganj, Noakhali Sadar, Jamalpur’s Melandah, Feni Sadar, Naogaon Sadar, Lakshmipur Sadar, Araihazar in Narayanganj, Barlekha in Moulvibazar, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, and Maheshpur in Jhenaidah. In some areas, Jamaat’s female workers have reportedly been obstructed from carrying out their organizational and outreach activities.
The Central Majlis-e-Shura questioned how free, fair, and neutral elections could be expected in such an atmosphere of violence. The statement alleged that the government has failed to create an election-friendly environment.
Jamaat also strongly criticized what it termed “false and misleading reporting” by certain newspapers, which claimed that a viral image of a youth holding a pistol in Ishwardi belonged to a Jamaat activist. The party condemned such “information terrorism” and urged media outlets to refrain from publishing baseless reports.
The Shura concluded that to ensure a peaceful and credible election, the government must immediately compile a list of armed militants, arrest them, bring them under the purview of the law, and recover all illegal weapons across the country.
