The electoral atmosphere in the Noakhali-2 constituency (comprising Senbagh and parts of Sonaimuri) turned volatile on Sunday evening following an alleged armed assault on the motorcade of Kazi Md. Mafizur Rahman, a “rebel” independent candidate. The incident, which involved reported gunfire and heavy stone-pelting, has ignited a fresh wave of political instability in a region already simmering with partisan tension.
The Ambush at Dildar Market
The confrontation occurred at approximately 6:30 pm near Dildar Market in the Kabilpur Union of Senbagh. Mr Rahman, a former member of the BNP’s National Executive Committee and a previous Upazila Chairman, had just concluded Maghrib prayers at a local mosque when his vehicle was intercepted.
According to Mr Rahman, a group of assailants—whom he identified as loyalists to the official BNP candidate—opened fire and pelted his car with bricks. While the vehicle’s glass was shattered, miraculously, neither the candidate nor his aides sustained physical injuries. “They targeted me directly,” Mr Rahman claimed, demanding that the “masterminds” behind the ambush be brought to justice.
Counter-Accusations and Escalation
The official BNP candidate, Zainul Abdin Farroque, a veteran politician, vehemently denied the allegations, suggesting instead that the independent candidate’s supporters staged the attack on their own leader to garner sympathy. Furthermore, Mr Farroque alleged that his own vehicle was attacked by Mr Rahman’s supporters near the Senbagh Upazila headquarters later that evening.
| Candidate | Affiliation | Symbol | Allegations Reported |
| Zainul Abdin Farroque | BNP (Official) | Sheaf of Paddy | Vehicle pelted with bricks; claims rival staged own attack. |
| Kazi Md. Mafizur Rahman | Independent (Rebel) | Cup and Saucer | Targeted by gunfire and bricks; vehicle windows shattered. |
Security Response
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Senbagh Police Station, Mohammad Abul Bashar, confirmed that while the vehicle was clearly damaged, the use of firearms remains unverified. “We are investigating whether the loud bangs reported by witnesses were indeed gunshots or perhaps large crackers used to intimidate,” the OC stated.
Following the reports of the attack, hundreds of Mr Rahman’s supporters occupied the Thana junction in Senbagh town, leading to further skirmishes between the two factions. Additional police units have been deployed to prevent a full-scale riot as the town remains in a state of high alert.