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Published : 31 Jan 2026, 01:31 AM
The returning officer has directed the Electoral Inquiry and Judicial Committee to investigate an incident in which eggs were thrown and disorder broke out involving National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Nasiruddin Patwary at a pitha festival at a college in Shantinagar.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury sent a letter on Friday to Civil Judge Md Shamsul Haque, head of the committee for the Dhaka-8 constituency, asking it to take necessary action after probing the incident.
On Jan 27, tensions flared at Habibullah Bahar College during a pitha festival as supporters of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas and NCP candidate Patwary gathered at the same venue.
The NCP candidate later alleged he was “humiliated” at the event and that eggs were thrown at him.
Subsequently, the NCP accused supporters of the BNP candidate of orchestrating the incident “on instructions” from Abbas, who denied the allegation.
In response, the returning officer sought reports from Ramna Police and explanations from the college authorities.
The college submitted its report on Thursday, followed by a written report from the chief of Ramna Police on Friday.
Based on these, the returning officer instructed the Electoral Inquiry Committee to investigate the “disorderly situation” and take action.
WHAT POLICE AND PRINCIPAL SAY
Campaigning for the Feb 12 parliamentary election began on Jan 21. Rules require organisers to inform local police at least 24 hours in advance of holding any public gathering.
In his report, Ramna Police chief said neither the college authorities nor any political party informed police about the participation of political leaders in the Jan 27 festival.
Police, however, learned from “reliable sources” that both Abbas and Patwary would attend.
The officer said he immediately informed senior officers and deployed police at the venue, discouraging both sides from attending.
Police later found an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 students on campus, along with supporters of Patwary, including activists from the 11-party alliance, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP.
BNP activists, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal members, also gathered in support of Abbas.
According to the report, around 11:40am, Patwary’s arrival triggered “intense tension and disorder”.
While he was speaking from a balcony, eggs and water were thrown at him and slogans were shouted from the crowd.
Police said they intervened immediately and brought the situation under control. Ramna Police Station chief told the returning officer that due to constant police presence and prompt action, there was no serious breakdown of law and order.
In a separate report, college principal Imrul Qayes said no one from outside the college was invited to the pitha festival, and that no political candidate was invited or allowed to campaign at the event.
