22 NCP leaders sued over Jhenaidah clash

A case has been filed against 22 leaders of the National Citizen Party, including a central joint member secretary, in Jhenaidah following clashes between NCP and Chhatra Dal activists.

Md Enamul Kabir, former vice-president of district Chhatra Dal, filed the case on Saturday, May 23, naming 22 NCP leaders. The main accused is Tarek Reza, central joint member secretary of NCP. Another 50 to 60 unidentified individuals have also been named.

Earlier on Friday night, NCP leader Tarek Reza had filed a case against eight Chhatra Dal leaders, including its district president and general secretary, along with 110 to 115 others over the same incident.

According to the case statement, Enamul Kabir went to offer Juma prayers at the old DC Court Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah municipality on Friday. After prayers, when he came out of the mosque around 1:50 pm, he saw NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari giving a speech to district leaders and activists. Patwari was allegedly making objectionable and defamatory remarks against BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, district BNP president M A Majid and Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, with Tarek Reza instigating the remarks.

When the complainant and other worshippers protested the speech, NCP leaders and activists under the instruction of Tarek Reza attacked Chhatra Dal leaders.

The case statement further said the accused surrounded the complainant and beat him. Accused Tanaim struck the complainant's head with a brick, causing serious injury. When others tried to intervene, several leaders and activists, including Sahid Ahhed, Hridoy Hossain and Nayan Hawlader, were seriously injured with pistol butts, sharp knives and bricks.

The incident followed an attack on Nasiruddin Patwari on Friday afternoon, in which eggs were thrown at him and he and several others were injured, sparking tensions in the city.

Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station OC Md Asaduzzaman said a regular case has been registered. Police operations are ongoing to investigate the matter and arrest the accused.