10 injured in BNP–NCP clash in Hatiya Jamaat polls office vandalised in Wari
Staff Reporter :
At least 10 people were injured in clashes between activists of the BNP and the NCP during the inauguration of a ferry service in Hatiya, an island upazila of Noakhali. The incident involved repeated chases and counter-chases between the two sides. Thousands of people who had come to attend the event panicked and ran in different directions during the violence.
The ferry service named “Mahananda” on the Nalchira–Chairman Ghat river route was inaugurated on Friday afternoon. The formal inauguration was conducted by Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping.
Others present at the event included BIWTC Chairman Arif Ahmed Mostafa, President of Hatiya Island Association (Dhaka) Dr Zahedul Alam, General Secretary Anwar Hossain Jatan, representatives of various social organisations, and local journalists.
After the inauguration ceremony, BNP and NCP activists separately began chanting slogans, each side claiming credit for the launch of the ferry service. At one stage, tensions escalated over the slogans, leading to chases, counter-chases, and clashes. The situation later deteriorated into brick-throwing and physical altercations.
Those injured in the clashes include Md Yousuf (30), Faruk (35), Md Raihan (30), and Coast Guard driver Mohsin, among at least 10 others. The injured are receiving treatment at the upazila health complex and various private clinics.
Following the incident, Navy and police personnel quickly brought the situation under control. A tense atmosphere currently prevails in the area.
Local residents said that the launch of the ferry service would bring a revolutionary change to transportation for island dwellers. It will allow the movement of buses, minibuses, private cars, and goods-laden vehicles, boosting trade, commerce, and tourism.
Dr Zahedul Alam, president of the Hatiya Island Association, said, “The ferry service is a milestone in Hatiya’s history. This achievement will be damaged if we become involved in mutual conflicts.”
Ferry driver Master Mozammel Haque said the ferry would operate in line with tidal conditions and has a carrying capacity of around 250 tonnes.
It is worth mentioning that for a long time, the people of Hatiya—who have remained disconnected from the mainland—had been demanding ferry services and other civic facilities. The launch of the ferry service marks the fulfilment of one of those key demands.
Allegations have emerged that an election office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Wari of Old Dhaka was vandalised.
The incident occurred late at night on Thursday. Local Jamaat leaders and activists said miscreants carried out a sudden attack on the office. During the attack, banners, festoons, and various decorative materials displayed at the office were torn down, causing damage to the temporary office used for election activities.
Party leaders and activists said that ensuring security for election offices and workers is essential to guarantee a free and peaceful election. Otherwise, they warned, violence and instability in the field could escalate further.
Jamaat-nominated and 11-party alliance-backed parliamentary candidate for the Dhaka-6 constituency, Dr Abdul Mannan, strongly condemned and protested the incident. He said the attack was carried out in a planned manner to destabilise the electoral environment.
The Jamaat candidate also demanded that those involved in the incident be identified immediately and brought under the law.