Attacks on Jatiya Party Offices in Four Districts as Protests Emerge Over Nur Assault
NN ONLINE:
Following the assault on Nurul Haque Nur, chief of Gono Odhikar Parishad, protests and road blockades have spread across multiple districts. Supporters of the party are also accused of attacking and vandalising Jatiya Party offices in Thakurgaon, Tangail, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi. Arson attacks were reportedly carried out at Jatiya Party offices in Haripur, Thakurgaon, and in Rajshahi.
Earlier, after clashes between the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad in Bijoynagar on Friday evening, Gono Odhikar activists held a torch procession at 9:30 pm. Following the procession, party leaders attempted a briefing in front of their office. According to General Secretary Rashed Khan, law enforcement officers used batons on them. Nur sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Overnight protests continued across Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, and Chattogram, with demonstrations persisting in other districts on Saturday.
THAKURGAON
Around 1 pm on Saturday, a violent attack targeted the Jatiya Party office in Haripur Upazila, Thakurgaon. Mohammad Hasan Ali, general secretary of Haripur’s Jatiya Party unit, described that Gono Odhikar Parishad activists arrived with a procession and attacked their office. He said the attackers vandalised 40–50 chairs, two tables, four fans, and two wardrobes, with some furniture moved outside and set on fire. Hasan condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. Rezaur Raji Swapan Chowdhury, the district Jatiya Party GS, also condemned the assault by Gono Odhikar Parishad. Mojakker Islam Suman, head of Gono Odhikar Haripur, said the protest was triggered by the attack on Nur. He added that the procession aimed for the Jatiya Party office and, upon reaching it, activists vandalised the premises in frustration. Haripur Police Chief Zakaria Mondal confirmed that police arrived after the vandalism, took control of the situation, and firefighters extinguished the flames. He noted, “The situation is now under control. Legal actions will be taken if a formal complaint is filed.”
TANGAIL
Protests erupted in Tangail district targeting Jatiya Party offices, with the Dhaka–Tangail–Jamuna Highway blocked. The demonstration, organised by Gono Odhikar, began at 11 am with a march, according to Tangail Sadar Police Chief Tanvir Hasan. Bystanders reported that as the procession passed Nirala Mor, it reached the district Jatiya Party office, where activists broke in and caused significant damage, including chairs and the office sign being destroyed. Following the attack, demonstrators blocked the highway, chanting against the assault on Nur. Mohammad Mojammel Haque, Tangail district general secretary of the Jatiya Party, condemned the attacks, noting that violence was spreading nationwide and that party offices were being destroyed. He said, “The attack happened in front of law enforcement. I no longer feel confident about filing a complaint.” Police Chief Tanvir Hasan stated that officers tried to control the situation but could not prevent the damage in time. “Police have been deployed and the situation is now under control,” he said.
MYMENSINGH
Protests turned violent in Mymensingh as Gono Odhikar Parishad activists attacked the Jatiya Party office in Ishwarganj on Friday night. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm as a procession led by Md Ziaur Rahman, joint-general secretary of the central committee, moved from Ishwarganj Government College to the Upazila Parishad and back to the college. During the protest, party workers vandalised the Jatiya Party office. Ishwarganj Police Chief Obaidur Rahman stated that the office sign was damaged, but no formal complaints had been filed yet. He added that if complaints are filed, authorities would investigate and take appropriate legal action.
RAJSHAHI
In Rajshahi, Gono Odhikar activists attacked, vandalised, and set fire to the Jatiya Party office late Friday night. Witnesses reported that the protests began at 11:30 pm from Saheb Bazar Zero Point and proceeded to the Jatiya Party office on Ghan Para.