Nasiruddin Patwari cordoned off, freed by army intervention

Nasiruddin Patwari, the candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance in Dhaka-8 constituency, was reportedly blocked and surrounded at a polling station on Thursday around noon. 

The incident occurred when he went to inspect the Shahjahanpur Railway Colony School center.

According to eyewitnesses and Patwari's side, supporters and leaders of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas surrounded him as he tried to enter the center, shouting "fake, fake" slogans. 

Tension escalated, and after 10-15 minutes he was able to leave the area under the protection and intervention of army personnel stationed there. 

His election worker alleged that Patwari and his team faced an attack involving beating and punching, and similar chaos occurred later when they visited the Mirza Abbas Women's College center.

An army officer on duty at the scene denied any blockade, describing the situation as a temporary crowd jam caused by a candidate arriving with a large number of supporters, accompanied by some shouting that was quickly brought under control.

Observations at the Shahjahanpur Railway Colony School and Mirza Abbas Women's College centers showed a heavy presence of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas's leaders, activists, and even some journalist card holders actively working on his behalf. 

Patwari and his allies alleged vote rigging and intimidation linked to Mirza Abbas's supporters, condemning the events as a serious violation of the electoral process and calling for investigation.

There was no immediate comment from the Election Commission on the matter.