Dhaka, Bangladesh — Protests erupted across several districts in Bangladesh following an attack on Nurul Haque Nur, the leader of the Gono Odhikar Parishad. Supporters of Nur’s party engaged in violent confrontations, damaging and setting fire to offices belonging to the Jatiya Party in Thakurgaon, Tangail, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi.
The unrest escalated after a confrontation between activists from the two political factions in Bijoynagar on Friday evening, prompting supporters of Gono Odhikar Parishad to hold a torch-lit march that night. This demonstration ended aggressively when protestors attempted to address the media near their office, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement. Nur reportedly sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos and is currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
By Saturday afternoon, the violence spread further with a severe attack at the Jatiya Party office in Thakurgaon’s Haripur Upazila. Mohammad Hasan Ali, the Jatiya Party’s local general secretary, detailed the scene, saying around 40 to 50 chairs, two tables, and additional furniture were vandalized and set ablaze. He condemned the aggression, calling for accountability against those involved.
In Tangail, demonstrations against the Jatiya Party commenced at 11 a.m., blocking critical roads including the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway. Eyewitnesses reported that as protestors marched, they stormed a district Jatiya Party office, causing considerable destruction. Mohammad Mojammel Haque, the district’s Jatiya Party general secretary, expressed his concern over the violence happening under the watch of law enforcement.
Tangail Police Chief Tanvir Hasan confirmed that law enforcement attempted to quell the unrest but were overwhelmed by the number of demonstrators. He noted that while the situation has since normalized, there were reports of vandalism that would require formal complaints to trigger investigations.
In Mymensingh, the unrest turned similarly destructive late Friday night. Around 9:30 p.m., Gono Odhikar Parishad members attacked the Jatiya Party office in Ishwarganj during a procession led by their central committee’s joint general secretary, Md Ziaur Rahman. Local police indicated that damage to the office sign had occurred, but no formal complaints were filed as of yet.
Meanwhile, in Rajshahi, activists targeted the Jatiya Party office shortly before midnight. The protest originated from Saheb Bazar Zero Point, leading to further acts of vandalism that culminated in arson.
As tensions between the two parties continue to rise, community leaders are urging restraint, with calls for proper investigations and accountability for the violence. Legal actions may be initiated as local officials express concern about escalating conflicts and the need for the protection of political spaces.