Clashes in Kurigram Leave Twenty Injured Following Political Protest
Photo Collected
At least 20 people were injured Thursday evening when a protest march organized by the student wing of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) in Kurigram’s Fulbari upazila was attacked by groups allegedly affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The confrontation occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. as the Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the NCP, conducted a demonstration to protest recent violence against party members in Habiganj. According to eyewitnesses and party officials, the march was proceeding through the main road of the Fulbari upazila town when it was ambushed by individuals armed with clubs and makeshift weapons.
Among the injured were several prominent members of the organization, including District Youth Wing Senior Secretary General Tawhid Hasan, District Convener Sadikur Rahman, District Youth Wing Convener Jahid Hasan, Fulbari Upazila Senior Member Secretary Raju, and Nageshwari Upazila Youth Wing President Rabiul Islam. The victims were transported to the local upazila health complex and other nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Nazmul Ferdous, the NCP Fulbari upazila convener, stated that the protest was a peaceful central program, yet it was disrupted by a violent assault carried out by BNP-aligned organizations. Kurigram District NCP Convener Md. Mukul Mia echoed these sentiments, alleging that more than 200 people affiliated with the BNP and its associates were involved in the attack. He has called upon local law enforcement to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
The narrative from the local BNP leadership differs, however. Former Fulbari upazila BNP General Secretary Mannan Mukul denied the party’s direct involvement, claiming that the incident was sparked when a local Chhatra Dal activist named Mominul was allegedly attacked while passing near the NCP office. He further alleged that members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League were present during the NCP protest, suggesting the conflict was an isolated clash between students rather than a targeted political strike.
Local police confirmed that an incident took place but noted that the violence occurred rapidly. Fulbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahmud Hassan Naim stated that officers were present in the vicinity but were unable to intervene before the attackers fled the scene. He confirmed that the police are prepared to launch a formal investigation into the matter once an official complaint is filed by the NCP.
0%
0%
0%
0%
