Former Chhatra Dal Leader Parades With Shroud And Firearm in Pabna

Tension gripped Ishwardi upazila in Pabna after Jubayer Hossain Bappi, a 35-year-old former leader of Chhatra Dal, paraded through the town wrapped in a burial shroud and holding a firearm. The unusual demonstration involved a licensed shotgun and quickly drew significant public attention, creating an atmosphere of alarm throughout the local community as crowds gathered to witness the unfolding events.

Following the public parade, rival factions of the BNP converged in front of the Ishwardi police station, escalating local tensions. The situation prompted swift intervention from law enforcement officers stationed in the area, who worked to manage the crowds and secure the premises as opposing political voices clashed over the implications of the public weapon display.

Habibur Rahman, identified as the District BNP Convener, took to Facebook live to voice his support for Jubayer Hossain Bappi. According to Rahman, the former student leader is known as a defiant individual whose actions were driven by a desire to protest widespread social issues in Ishwardi, claiming the area had turned into a hub for drug trafficking and usury that was ruining hundreds of families. Rahman maintained that Bappi had gone to the police station wearing a shroud and surrendered his firearm solely to protest these illicit activities, further asserting that criticisms against Bappi were a misrepresentation aimed at smearing his reputation.

Conversely, other party members and individuals came forward to demand strict disciplinary and legal measures against Bappi. Among them, Mehedi Hasan filed a written complaint alleging that Bappi had openly carried the firearm from Bokul Mor to the rail gate area, hurling verbal abuse and issuing death threats against him. Hasan called for Bappi's immediate arrest and the cancellation of his weapons license.

Weighing in on the political fallout, Masud Khandakar remarked that regardless of Bappi's past affiliations, he currently holds no official position within the party ranks. Khandakar emphasized that clear laws govern the use of firearms, and if the individual committed an offense, legal action should follow accordingly, maintaining that nobody stands above the law regardless of political ties.

Providing details on the official response, Pronob Kumar stated that Bappi was detained in the morning and subsequently transferred to the Pabna District Intelligence Branch for questioning by noon. Kumar explicitly noted that displaying a firearm publicly is illegal, and authorities are currently investigating how Bappi obtained his license and his exact motives. Upon the conclusion of the inquiry, police intend to pursue necessary legal steps, which will include filing an application to revoke the weapon's license.