NCP-Chhatra Dal clash in Hatiya over Hannan Masud's remarks, 8 injured

An altercation and scuffle occurred between leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and BNP-backed Chhatra Dal-Jubo Dal centring remarks by Abdul Hannan Masud, Member of Parliament for Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) constituency. At least eight people from both sides were injured. The incident took place in front of the Hatiya Upazila Parishad on Thursday noon.

Eyewitnesses said Hannan Masud recently made remarks about Hatiya BNP leaders and activists at a national parliament session, a district law and order committee meeting and a party workers' rally. BNP leaders alleged that false and misleading information about their party was spread in these remarks. Angered by this, leaders and activists took a position centring his attendance at the law and order committee meeting on Thursday.

Around 12:30pm, when Hannan Masud reached the gate of the upazila parishad building with leaders and activists, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders and activists surrounded him. At that time, an altercation began between the two sides. He was later taken to the meeting room through the mediation of the upazila administration.

During the meeting, an altercation broke out again outside between NCP and Chhatra Dal-Jubo Dal leaders and activists. Upon receiving the news, when Hannan Masud came out of the meeting room, he became involved in an argument. At one point, a scuffle and fighting broke out between the two sides. At least eight people were injured, including Upazila Jubo Shakti member secretary Saiful Islam and Chhatra Dal leaders Akram, Sakib, Sakhawat Hossain and Azad. The situation was later brought under control through the intervention of the administration, police and senior BNP leaders.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kabir Hossain said police took prompt action and calmed the situation when an unwanted situation and altercation began as the MP was going to the meeting. Upazila Executive Officer Rasel Iqbal said an incident of loud arguing and pushing occurred at the gate in the presence of leaders and activists of both sides.

NCP upazila convener Shamsuddin Tibriz alleged that Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders and activists attacked their leaders and activists. On the other hand, former joint general secretary of Hatiya upazila BNP Amirul Haider Chowdhury claimed that leaders and activists protested out of anger over various remarks by Hannan Masud, and there was no prior instruction from the party in this incident.

Hannan Masud told the media that he was going to the law and order committee meeting. BNP leaders and activists started a commotion without any reason and at one point became involved in a scuffle.

He further claimed that a punch landed on his neck at that time.