Attack disrupts former MP Mannan’s project inauguration in Subarnachar

An inauguration event for a shopping and housing project by former MP and ex-Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Major (Retd.) Abdul Mannan, was disrupted by an attack in Subarnachar, Noakhali. The attackers were allegedly members of local units of Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Sramik Dal.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (May 20) around 11:45am at the Harish Chowdhury Bazar area, just before the scheduled inauguration of the 'Subarna City' project.

According to eyewitnesses, Abdul Mannan arrived at the venue via helicopter at around 11:30am, stayed for a few minutes, and then left for his ancestral home in Ramgati. Just before his arrival, a group of 15–16 individuals led by Jubo Dal Joint Convener Atikur Rahman (Ashru) and Sramik Dal Joint Convener Md. Sohrawardy launched a sudden attack with sticks and batons.

They broke the main gate’s arch, vandalized chairs, and forced the cancellation of the event.

During the attack, Channel 24 cameraman Abdur Razzak was also assaulted while trying to film the incident. He was hit on the hand with a stick, and the attackers tried to snatch his camera, partially damaging it.

Although a team from Char Jabbar Police Station was present near the venue, eyewitnesses claimed that the police did not intervene to stop the attackers.

Local resident Abdul Jalil stated, “The police witnessed everything with their own eyes but remained silent.”

When asked about the incident, Jubo Dal leader Atikur Rahman claimed, “This was an attempt to rehabilitate Awami League collaborators here, so the local leaders resisted.”

In contrast, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Char Jabbar Police Station, Md. Shahin Mia, denied any attack, saying, “There was no attack. A faction of BNP held a procession, so the event didn’t take place.” When confronted about reports that the attack happened in front of police, he responded, “That should not have happened.”

The organizers and journalists strongly condemned the attack and expressed concerns over safety. They also questioned the role of the local administration in handling the situation.