Leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) allegedly came under attack in Habiganj on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 15 people, including senior party leaders and journalists, injured and triggering heightened political tensions in the district.
According to NCP leaders, the incident occurred near the Staff Quarter area as the party’s central leaders were heading towards the Circuit House after attending a public rally at the town hall premises.
Among the injured are NCP Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary, and district unit Member Secretary Mubin, party sources claimed.
NCP Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat alleged that leaders and activists of the local BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal launched a sudden attack on the party’s motorcade during its July March” programme.
The attackers hurled bricks and stones at our vehicles, injuring several party leaders, activists and journalists,” Sifat said.
He further alleged that an NCP media team microbus parked inside the Habiganj Circuit House compound was vandalised during the incident.
Witnesses said that after the rally, Sarjis Alam and Nasir Uddin Patwary left the venue in separate vehicles for the Circuit House when their convoy came under attack. As tensions escalated, Sarjis reportedly took shelter in a Sonali Bank building in the town centre for safety.
Police later escorted him from the building and transported him safely to the Circuit House, witnesses added.
The situation further deteriorated as NCP and Chhatra Dal activists became involved in a chase and counter-chase, causing temporary disruption to traffic on the town’s main roads and creating panic among local residents.
However, Jillur Rahman, general secretary of Habiganj district Chhatra Dal, denied the allegations of an organised attack.
He claimed that the situation escalated following what he described as provocative remarks” made by NCP leaders during the rally.
The speeches generated anger and resentment among activists, which eventually led to the unrest,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Shafiqul Islam, Investigation Officer of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station, said police rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the incident.
The situation is now under control, and law enforcement agencies remain on alert, he said.
Following the clash, additional police personnel were deployed across key points in the town.
The incident has sparked renewed political debate in Habiganj, with rival groups blaming each other for the violence, further intensifying tensions in the local political arena.
