BNP, NCP clash during anti-rape protest

Activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the National Citizen Party (NCP) clashed during a protest march in Noakhali’s Hatiya over the alleged rape of a college student on a launch bound for Dhaka. At least five people from both sides were injured in the incident.

The clash took place around 8:00pm at Ochkali Bazar in Hatiya upazila on Tuesday. Police later intervened and brought the situation under control.

According to local sources, a Class XII student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College was allegedly raped in a cabin of the launch MD Farhan while traveling from Hatiya in Noakhali to Dhaka on Sunday (March 8).

Following a complaint filed by the victim’s brother at Kotwali Police Station, police detained two suspects. The victim is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

NCP activists brought out a protest march in Ochakali demanding justice over the incident on Tuesday night. At the same time, local BNP activists also gathered in the area, leading to a heated argument that later turned into a chase and counter-chase between the two groups.

Hatiya upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Mohammad Fahim Uddin claimed that the accused in the rape case were supporters of the NCP. He alleged that when BNP activists brought out a protest march, NCP activists gathered at a road intersection and began chanting slogans against BNP.

He further claimed that after the BNP procession returned from the police station area, NCP activists suddenly attacked them by throwing bricks and stones, leaving several BNP activists injured, including Upazila Jubo Dal convener Ismail Hossain Ilias and municipal unit Chhatra Dal convener Shariful Islam Dukhu.

However, Hatiya upazila leader of Jatiyo Jubo Shokti, Yusuf, claimed that BNP activists attacked their protest march first, leaving five of their activists injured.

Officer-in-Charge of Hatiya Police Station, Kabir Hossain, said both groups brought out separate processions and came face to face, leading to a brief scuffle.

“No major clash occurred. The situation is now under control and remains calm,” he said.