Tensions are mounting across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election as violent protests erupted following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) announcement of its nominated candidate list.
Supporters of leaders who were denied nominations have taken to the streets in several districts, blocking highways and railway tracks, torching vehicles, and clashing with rival factions.
The wave of unrest has disrupted public life and raised serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation.
Law enforcement agencies have cautioned that the situation could deteriorate further if political violence continues to spread in the lead-up to the election. Officials also voiced concern that several looted police weapons remain unaccounted for, a factor they say could further destabilise the already fragile pre-election security environment. They warn that unrest if unchecked may fuel broader instability in days ahead.
In Chattogram, BNP’s Chattogram City Convener and nominated candidate for Chattogram-8 (Chandgaon–Boalkhali), Ershad Ullah, was shot at and injured during an election campaign on Wednesday afternoon in Chandgaon’s Chalitatoli Khandkarpara area. Two others were also injured in the incident.
According to Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, three people, including the BNP leader, sustained bullet wounds during the campaign. Police have launched an operation to arrest those involved.
Ershad Ullah is currently being treated at a private hospital in Chattogram. Former city Jubo Dal General Secretary Mohammad Shahed said doctors have confirmed that Ershad is out of danger, though pellets struck him on the abdomen.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had announced on November 3 that Ershad would contest from Chattogram-8 in the upcoming national election.
Meanwhile, Sarwar Hossain, alias Babla, 43, who was also present during the campaign, died after being shot. He passed away at a private hospital around 6:30pm. Police confirmed that Sarwar had 15 criminal cases, including murder, extortion, and arms charges.
Chandgaon Police Officer-in-Charge Jahedul Kabir said, “Sarwar, who was injured by gunfire, has died.”
Police sources said the incident might be linked to an old turf war. Sarwar had previously survived a gun attack on March 30 in the city’s Bakolia area, in which two people were killed.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “The BNP has no involvement in the incident. Hundreds joined the campaign, and Sarwar was shot as a result of a prior conflict between two criminal groups.”
Recently married Sarwar had been attending BNP events since his release on bail following the August 5 political unrest last year.
The BNP’s candidate list has triggered internal rifts and waves of protest in several constituencies.
In Madaripur-1, the nomination of Kamal Zaman Mollah, announced Monday, was suspended the next day after a video surfaced showing him chanting the ruling Awami League slogan “Joy Bangla.” Mollah, known to be close to senior government officials and former police chief Benazir Ahmed, was dropped amid sharp criticism within the party.
In Natore-1, BNP’s nomination of Farzana Sharmin Putul sparked violent clashes between rival supporters. Protesters led by her brother Yasir Arshad set fire to parts of the highway in Lalpur Upazila, leaving several injured. The unrest continued from late afternoon until midnight Monday.
In Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), followers of former BNP Joint Secretary General Professor Aslam Chowdhury blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway and railway tracks Monday evening, igniting ighting fires at multiple locations after he was denied a nomination.
Railway police said fires were set at seven to eight points along the line, forcing authorities to suspend all train services between Dhaka and Chattogram. Several trains, including the Chattala Express and Nasirabad Express, were stranded.
“The suspension will remain until the situation is safe,” said Atiqur Rahman, Sitakunda’s station master.
In Madaripur, supporters of BNP leader Sajjad Hossain Lavlu Siddiqui burned tires on the Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway on Monday night, causing severe traffic congestion and stranding hundreds of passengers for hours.
In Kushtia-3, supporters of Principal Sohrab Uddin blocked the Kushtia–Jhenaidah Highway, setting fires and disrupting local transports.
In Meherpur-2 (Gangni), supporters of district BNP president Jabed Masud Milton staged protests demanding the cancellation of candidate Amzad Hossain’s nomination. Panic gripped the town as shops and businesses closed early.
In Cumilla-6, supporters of BNP adviser Aminur Rashid Yasin, who was denied a nomination, set fire to the highway at Alekhar Char Bishwaroad, triggering long traffic jams on the Dhaka–Chattogram route.
In Chandpur-5, local BNP activists loyal to former MP Lion Harunur Rashid blocked roads and ignite fires in Faridganj.
In Magura-2, rival BNP factions clashed during protests demanding the cancellation of Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury’s nomination. Several people were injured, homes were vandalized, and local journalists reported being threatened while covering the unrest.
The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) held a press conference Wednesday afternoon detailing the army’s readiness under the “In Aid to Civil Power” mandate.
Lt Gen Md Mainur Rahman said the army had so far recovered 81 per cent of looted firearms and 73 per cent of stolen ammunition, and brought 19,000 offenders to justice.
“The public wants a free and fair election under the government’s roadmap,” he said. “Once a new administration takes office and stability returns, the army will return to barracks.”
Analysts said the BNP’s internal divisions, violent protests, and looted weapons combine to fuel instability in an already tense political climate.
Security agencies have begun deploying additional police, RAB, and army personnel to volatile districts.
A senior law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent: “We are reinforcing forces in key areas, but if political violence continues at this pace, maintaining peace before the election will be extremely difficult.”
Observers warn that the coming weeks could be decisive for Bangladesh’s political trajectory — determining whether the country moves toward a peaceful, credible election or deeper unrest.
Meanwhile, the government has announced cash rewards for the recovery of weapons and ammunition looted from police station, in a move aimed at retrieving all missing arms before the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February next year.
Earlier, on August 25, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had announced bounties for information leading to the recovery of firearms looted after August 5 last year.
According to a statement from Police Headquarters issued on Wednesday, individuals who recover and return the lost arms will receive cash rewards based on the type of weapon recovered.
Under the announced scheme, Tk five lakh will be awarded for a Light Machine Gun (LMG), Tk 1.5 lakh for a Submachine Gun (SMG), Tk one lakh for a Chinese Rifle, and Tk 50,000 for a pistol or shotgun.
Additionally, each recovered bullet will carry a reward of Tk 500.
Authorities have urged citizens who locate any of the missing weapons or ammunition to contact their nearest police station.
The government has assured that the identity of informants and finders will be kept strictly confidential.
Officials emphasized that the initiative is intended to ensure public safety and expedite the recovery of the looted arms.
