In Mymensingh-1 constituency (Haluaghat-Dhobadoura), a supporter of independent BNP candidate Salman Omar was fatally stabbed on Friday evening, with local sources identifying two individuals as leading the attack. The victim, Nazrul Islam, aged 40, was killed amid a dispute over the inauguration of Omar’s election office in Ershad Bazar, Dhobadoura Upazila.
Nazrul hailed from Bakpara Ramsinghpur village in South Maijpara Union. Following the stabbing, he was rushed to Dhobadoura Upazila Health Complex but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police have since arrested three local BNP leaders in connection with the incident.
Following the post-mortem at Mymensingh Medical College morgue on Saturday, Omar’s supporters carried Nazrul’s body through the Upazila headquarters in a protest march, voicing slogans against the BNP joint secretary, Syed Emran Saleh, and demanding justice.
Salman Omar, denied nomination by the BNP, is contesting as an independent candidate. Police reports indicate that the attack occurred shortly after the opening ceremony of his new campaign office at Ershad Bazar, Ghoshgaon Union. The attack was reportedly led by Azharul Islam and Abdullah Al Noman, both associated with the BNP, while Nazrul Islam was present at the office entrance.
Eyewitnesses described the leaders as follows:
| Name | Role/Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullah Al Noman | Grandson of former Upazila BNP president Mofiz Uddin; active in youth politics | Allegedly used a knife in the attack |
| Azharul Islam | Local BNP worker | Participated in the assault |
| Farhad Al Razi | North District Youth BNP co-secretary; candidate for Dhobadoura Upazila Youth Committee president | Politically influential |
Former Upazila BNP president Mofiz Uddin, Noman’s grandfather, acknowledged the incident, stating that verbal exchanges escalated into violence. “Azharul beat him and Noman stabbed him. It is a deeply regrettable incident,” he said.
Nazrul’s funeral procession began at Omar’s office and moved through various streets, ending at the Upazila Parishad premises with a human chain and submission of a memorandum to local authorities. Later, his first Janaza (funeral prayer) took place at the Parishad grounds before being taken to his home village for burial at 8 PM.
His eldest son, Md. Solaiman, expressed his grief: “My father always helped people, yet he was killed. We demand capital punishment for the murderers and appeal to the administration for justice.”
Police confirmed that Solaiman filed a complaint naming 38 individuals, with 20–22 others unidentified. Arrests so far include joint convener Adam Ali (54), BNP member Dulal Mia (53), and Ward BNP president Md. Ibrahim (52). The authorities continue efforts to apprehend other suspects.
The crime scene still bore fresh bloodstains on Saturday afternoon, with locals recalling the violence that unfolded shortly after the inauguration and Khurma distribution at the office. Shopkeeper Saiful Islam said, “Tensions arose when Noman’s group declared that independent candidates could not have offices here. I closed my shop to avoid being caught up in the scuffle.”