NCP leaders attacked, besieged inside bank after Habiganj rally; 20 injured

Two senior leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) were forced to take shelter inside a Sonali Bank branch and remained besieged for about an hour after their convoy came under attack in Habiganj on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 20 party leaders and activists injured.

Police rescued NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam at around 8 pm and escorted them to the Habiganj Circuit House after dispersing an angry crowd that had surrounded the bank.

The violence erupted after an NCP rally in front of Shaifur Rahman Town Hall, where Patwari and Sarjis had addressed supporters as part of the party's July Jagaran March 2026 campaign.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the convoy came under attack as it was returning to the Circuit House. Brickbats were hurled at the vehicles, triggering chases and counter-chases between NCP activists and their opponents that brought traffic on the town's main road to a standstill.

Video footage circulating on social media showed several men stopping an NCP microbus, assaulting its driver and dragging passengers from the vehicle before beating them. A journalist, Nahid Ahmed, was also reportedly assaulted while attempting to photograph the incident.

As the violence escalated, Patwari, Sarjis and other NCP leaders sought refuge inside the main branch of Sonali Bank, where protesters surrounded the building until police intervened.

NCP alleged that activists of the BNP's student wing, Chhatra Dal, carried out the attack.

"We were attacked while returning to the Circuit House after the rally," said Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, convener of the NCP's Habiganj district unit. "Chhatra Dal activists attacked our convoy near Thana Mor. We strongly condemn this attack."

Sarjis Alam said several party members sustained serious injuries.

"Our district secretary's arm was broken after he was beaten with iron rods. Some suffered head injuries, one person sustained an eye injury, and we were attacked again outside the hospital while taking the injured for treatment," he said.

The injured included Sarjis Alam, Habiganj district Member Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Mubin and several other NCP activists. Their vehicles were also vandalised.

NCP leaders claimed tensions had been building since Patwari criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Habiganj-3 lawmaker and Chief Whip GK Gaus during speeches earlier in the day in Ajmiriganj and Habiganj.

Chhatra Dal denied orchestrating the attack.

Habiganj District Chhatra Dal President Shah Rajib Ahmed Ringon said anyone making "indecent remarks" to destabilise the peaceful town would have to bear responsibility for the consequences, but insisted the organisation had no role in the violence.

"I heard that agitated local people chased them over offensive remarks. Neither Chhatra Dal nor BNP members were involved," he said.

Habiganj District Chhatra Dal General Secretary Zillur Rahman similarly alleged that the NCP leaders' "provocative speeches" had fuelled public anger.

During the police rescue operation, one group chanted "Fake, fake," while NCP supporters responded with "Inquilab Zindabad" as they were escorted to safety. Police fired a sound grenade to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Repeated attempts to contact Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Zahidul Haque for comment were unsuccessful.

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