NCP leaders and activists pulled out of vehicles, beaten up; Sarjis among 10 injured

An attack and vandalism took place on the convoy of the National Citizen Party (NCP) after the conclusion of its 'July March' programme in Habiganj. At least 10 leaders and activists, including NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, were injured. The NCP has blamed local BNP, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders and activists for the attack. However, Jubo Dal has denied the allegations.

The attack occurred on Tuesday (July 28) afternoon when the convoy was heading towards the Circuit House after a 'July Jagaran' road rally in front of Saifur Rahman Town Hall in Habiganj city.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of attackers armed with local weapons attacked the NCP convoy. Several leaders and activists were pulled out of their vehicles and beaten. Some were critically injured and bled profusely. When they tried to rescue them, Nasiruddin Patwari and Sarjis Alam were also attacked. Sarjis Alam sustained injuries to his hands, and Nasiruddin Patwari was also hurt.

The NCP alleged that the attack occurred despite the presence of police, and that their media team's microbus took shelter inside the District Circuit House, only for attackers to enter and vandalise the vehicle. Journalists' mobile phones and cameras were also snatched, the party claimed.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat said the attack was pre-planned. He demanded legal action against the attackers.

In a Facebook post after the incident, Nasiruddin Patwari alleged that district Chhatra Dal leaders and activists carried out a surprise attack on them using hockey sticks, machetes and chains. He also claimed that despite the presence of police and RAB, they did not play any effective role. He demanded that the attackers be brought to justice immediately.

However, Habiganj district Jubo Dal convener Jalal Ahmed denied the allegations, saying he saw the attack on social media but that neither Chhatra Dal nor Jubo Dal were involved.