Bangladesh: Numerous Injured in NCP-BNP Clash
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Synopsis
A clash between the National Citizens Party (NCP) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Noakhali district left multiple individuals injured. The violence erupted during simultaneous rallies, leading to accusations and protests by both factions against each other.
Key Takeaways
- Two political parties were involved: NCP and BNP.
- More than 50 NCP members reported injuries.
- BNP claims 30 of its members were hurt.
- Violence erupted during concurrent rallies.
- Protests followed in Dhaka demanding accountability.
Dhaka, March 25 (NationPress) Several individuals were injured following a confrontation between two leading political factions in Bangladesh – the National Citizens Party (NCP) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The altercation took place on Monday evening at Jahajmara Bazar in the Noakhali district after both parties held rallies in close proximity, as per reports from local media.
The NCP asserted that over 50 of their members, including Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, sustained injuries due to an attack allegedly launched by BNP supporters. Conversely, the BNP reported that 30 of its members were injured during the skirmish, according to a bdnews 24 report.
NCP's Abdul Hannan Masud informed the leading daily, Prothom Alo, "We were engaging with the public when members from the BNP assaulted our group. Numerous individuals from our side were harmed in this incident."
In contrast, local BNP Joint General Secretary Lutfullahil Majid Nishan asserted that a BNP member was the initial target of the assault.
"Upazila Krishak Dal Convener Abdur Rob was attacked and injured earlier that evening. The situation escalated when local BNP supporters initiated a protest march," he explained.
On Tuesday morning, the chief of Noakhali Hatia Police Station, Azmal Huda, confirmed that both parties were in a standoff across the marketplace.
The incident caused turmoil throughout the vicinity. Law enforcement, supported by Navy and Coast Guard personnel, was dispatched to mitigate tensions and restore peace.
In response, the NCP organized an unplanned protest march in Dhaka on Tuesday, denouncing the alleged assault on their leader Abdul Hannan Masud in Noakhali's Hatia and demanding the swift arrest of those accountable for the attack, as well as their removal from their political parties.
The BNP and NCP have been at odds over the forthcoming national elections. Earlier this month, during a rally, a member of the BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council, Zainul Abedin Farroque, accused the NCP of instigating unrest to postpone the elections.
The much-publicized unity among various political factions in Bangladesh, which was evident during the ousting of the democratically-elected Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August 2024, appears to be gradually deteriorating.
