The National Citizen Party and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal filed separate cases against each other following violent clashes surrounding the visit of NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary in Jhenaidah, deepening political tension in the district.
The clashes took place shortly after Jumma prayers on Friday in front of the old DC Court Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah town, where supporters of both groups allegedly became involved in a confrontation that later turned violent.
NCP joint member secretary Tarekul Islam Tarek Reza filed a case with the Jhenaidah police on Friday night.
The case named eight Chhatra Dal leaders, including Islamic University unit Chhatra Dal convener Shahed Ahmed, Jhenaidah district Chhatra Dal president Imran Hossain, former president SM Saminuzzaman Samin, general secretary Shahriar Russell, former vice-president Nayan Howlader, municipal Chhatra Dal president Mobarak Hossain Emon and former joint secretary Hadu.
Another 110 to 115 unidentified individuals were also accused in the case.
According to the complaint, Nasiruddin Patwary and several NCP leaders came under attack while leaving the mosque after offering Jumma prayers.
The attackers allegedly used bricks, GI pipes, baseball bats and sharp weapons during the assault, leaving several people injured.
Those mentioned as injured in the complaint include Nasiruddin Patwary, Tanaim, Asif, Alamin, Hasibur Rahman, Nahian Khan Niaz and Ayon Rahman Khan.
The complaint also alleged that valuables, including a Sony Alpha A6400 camera, a Tamron lens, memory cards, mobile phones and cash worth approximately Tk 190,000, were snatched during the attack.
Meanwhile, former district Chhatra Dal vice-president Md Enamul Kabir filed a counter case on Saturday, against 22 named leaders and activists of the NCP and another 50–60 unidentified individuals.
The case included allegations of attempted murder, display of firearms, snatching, vandalism and issuing death threats.
Among those named in the case are NCP joint member secretary Tarekul Islam Tarek Reza, Mehedi Hasan Ashik, Siam Uddin Turya, Tanaim, Asif, Ayon Rahman Khan, Tain, Joynal, Alomgir, Shahriar Abik, Hriday Master, Lababur Bashar Labu, Sihab Shah, Nayan, Sultan Shah, Hriday, Rubayet Hasan Turya, Sheikh Sami, Rifat, Hakim, Kaiser Kawshar and Imran.
Complainant Enamul Kabir alleged that after Jumma prayers he saw Nasiruddin Patwary addressing party activists near the mosque and making derogatory remarks about prime minister Tarique Rahman, law minister Asaduzzaman and Jhenaidah Bangladesh Nationalist Party president lawyer Abdul Majid.
According to the case statement, when Enamul requested them not to make such comments, several accused attacked him when Mehedi Hasan Ashik pushed him to the ground before accused Tanaim struck him on the forehead with a piece of brick, causing him serious injuries.
The case also alleged that Mehedi Hasan Ashik and Siam Uddin Turya threatened people with pistols during the clash.
Following the filing of the NCP case, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists brought out a protest procession in Jhenaidah town on Friday night.
The procession marched through several roads before reaching Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, where tension briefly escalated after protesters demanded that Patwary, who was inside the station at the time, be brought outside.
The police said that brick chips were allegedly thrown after protesters were prevented from entering the police station premises.
Later, Chhatra Dal leaders held a rally at Payra Chattar, condemning the ‘politically motivated’ case filed against their leaders.
Jhenaidah police officer-in-charge Asaduzzaman said that they had accepted both complaints and investigations were under way.
He added that additional police had been deployed at key points across the town to maintain law and order.
