Section 144 withdrawn in Habiganj

The Habiganj district administration has withdrawn Section 144 restrictions from the municipal area, citing a return to normalcy in the overall law and order situation following days of political tension.

District Magistrate Dr GM Sarfaraz issued the order on Thursday (July 30), officially lifting the prohibitory measures imposed a day earlier.

According to the order, Section 144 had been enforced on July 29 to prevent potential violence, regulate public gatherings and maintain public order amid fears of unrest. However, based on the latest assessment by law enforcement agencies, the administration concluded that the security situation had stabilised, eliminating the need for the restrictions.

The prohibitory order was imposed after clashes on Tuesday and ahead of rival protest programmes announced by the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, which had heightened tensions across Habiganj town.

Security was significantly tightened on Wednesday, with large numbers of police deployed at key intersections and three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stationed to maintain order.

Later that afternoon, senior NCP leaders, including Convener Nahid Islam, attempted to enter Habiganj despite the restrictions. Their convoy was stopped by police at Rashidpur in Bahubal upazila, triggering a tense standoff marked by heated exchanges and brief scuffles.

After more than two hours of discussions, the NCP suspended its planned protest programme.

The party later sought permission to file a case over Tuesday's attack at Habiganj Sadar Police Station. Police declined the request, citing security concerns, but agreed to receive the complaint at the Kamaichhara Police Camp.

A five-member NCP delegation, led by Nahid Islam, subsequently submitted a written complaint naming Habiganj District Chhatra Dal President Shah Rajib Ahmed Ringon and 10 others as accused, while also implicating around 100 unidentified individuals.

Habiganj Superintendent of Police Tarek Mahmud said the handwritten complaint had been accepted and would be forwarded to Habiganj Sadar Police Station for verification. Legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.