Scuffle Marred NCP Rally in Sonagazi with Hasnat Abdullah Present

A major political rally organised by the National Citizen’s Party (NCP) in Feni’s Sonagazi sub-district descended into brief chaos on Thursday, 9 July, when rival factions engaged in a physical altercation on stage. The scuffle unfolded right in front of the party’s central leaders, including the chief organiser for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah MP.

The rally marked the official launch of the NCP’s southern “July March”. The political programme was designed to press home a five-point demand: implementing a national referendum system, boosting employment opportunities, resolving the ongoing electricity crisis, controlling the soaring prices of essential commodities, and ensuring stricter border security.

Witnesses reported that tensions flared up suddenly during the opening segment of the assembly at the rally venue. The friction reportedly began over the scheduling and selection of local district-level speakers, with rival factions demanding their respective leaders take the microphone. Arguments quickly escalated into aggressive shoving and a physical scuffle on the main stage, lasting for about twenty seconds. The situation was temporarily defused when central leaders intervened and commenced their official speeches, allowing the scheduled itinerary to proceed.

A galaxy of senior party figures witnessed the incident from the stage. Notable attendees included NCP Central Committee Joint Conveners Ali Ahsan Jonaid and Nizam Uddin, Chattogram Divisional Organising Secretary Suja Uddin, Jatiya Jubo Shakti Convener Tarikul Islam, and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti Member Secretary Abu Baker Majumdar, alongside various local dignitaries.

However, the peace proved short-lived. Shortly after the central leadership left the venue following the conclusion of the rally, sub-district level leaders clashed again in several brief rounds of altercations outside the venue. It required a concerted effort from Sonagazi NCP Sub-district Convener Abdullah Al Mamun and Member Secretary Mosharraf Hossain to restore order.

Reflecting on the disturbance, Abdullah Al Mamun downplayed the severity of the internal rift. “The temporary tension arose from a minor misunderstanding among grassroots workers. Senior party leaders intervened immediately to resolve the matter. We shall remain far more vigilant in the future to prevent any recurrence of such incidents,” he stated.

Local law enforcement confirmed that they had deployed personnel to secure the area ahead of the political gathering. Abul Hasim, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sonagazi Model Police Station, stated that additional security had been provided following a formal application by the NCP. “We are aware that a scuffle broke out between two factions of NCP activists at the rally venue. Although no formal complaint has been lodged yet, we will investigate and take appropriate legal action if a report is filed,” the police chief added.

The incident highlights growing internal friction within the newly formed NCP as it seeks to consolidate its grassroots footprint across the southern coastal belts through high-profile public mobilisations.