The parliamentary campaign in Jhenaidah-4 has been increasingly marred by violence and vandalism, raising serious concerns about public safety and the integrity of the electoral process. The latest incident occurred when unidentified attackers targeted the election office of independent candidate Saiful Islam Firoz, leaving at least six people injured. A succession of similar attacks has fuelled fear among local residents, voters and business owners, while casting doubt on whether a free and fair election can be ensured.
On Saturday evening, 7 February, assailants reportedly stormed the candidate’s campaign office at Naldanga Bazar in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers entered suddenly, smashing chairs, tables and other furniture before assaulting campaign workers and supporters present at the scene. Those seriously injured included former Union Parishad member of Ward No. 5, Wajjed Hossain, his two sons Badsha and Ahad, Shamim—son of Rajjak from Kharashuni village—and Jony, son of Aynal from Shrimantapur village. All the injured received initial treatment at local medical facilities.
This attack followed a series of similar incidents over recent days. On the night of 5 February, around 8:30 pm, another campaign office of the same independent candidate in Nishchintapur, Kaliganj town, was vandalised. Furniture and three motorcycles were damaged, and the recovery of objects resembling crude explosives intensified panic in the area. On the same night, a group of around eight assailants attacked a campaign office in Helai village under the municipality, smashing chairs before fleeing on motorcycles. Earlier, on 4 February, a business establishment owned by a supporter of Saiful Islam Firoz in Pukuria village was attacked, leaving two people injured.
Local residents report that threats, intimidation and tense confrontations have become almost routine across the constituency. Many fear that as polling day approaches, the frequency and intensity of violence will escalate further, discouraging voters from exercising their franchise freely.
Saiful Islam Firoz has stated that his supporters are attempting to remain calm despite repeated provocations. However, he warned that without swift and effective administrative action, the environment necessary for a credible election would be severely undermined. He also questioned the adequacy of the authorities’ response so far.
By contrast, Rashed Khan, the candidate contesting under the sheaf-of-paddy symbol, categorically denied any involvement by his supporters. He alleged that activists aligned with the independent candidate were staging acts of vandalism themselves in order to shift blame onto political rivals.
Kaliganj police officer-in-charge Jellal Hossain confirmed that police visited the Naldanga site following the latest incident and assured that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice. He added that surveillance and security measures in the area have been strengthened to prevent further unrest.
A summary of the reported incidents is presented below:
| Date | Location | Nature of Incident | Injured |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 February | Naldanga Bazar | Attack and vandalism of campaign office | 6 |
| 5 February | Nishchintapur, Kaliganj | Office attack, motorcycles vandalised | 0 |
| 5 February | Helai village | Office attack, chairs smashed | 0 |
| 4 February | Pukuria village | Attack on business premises | 2 |
Community leaders stress that immediate and coordinated action by the administration, candidates and all stakeholders is essential to defuse tensions. Only responsible conduct and effective law enforcement, they argue, can restore confidence and ensure a peaceful, credible and widely accepted election in Jhenaidah-4.