Top NCP Leaders Facing Attempted Murder Charges Following Violent Clash in Habiganj

A formal written complaint alleging attempted murder, physical assault, vandalism, and mugging has been lodged with the police against ten senior leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP), including Central Chief Co-ordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam.

The complaint was submitted on Thursday night (30 July) at around 10:00 pm at the Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station by Md Iqbal Hossain Rukon, the Joint General Secretary of the District Chhatra Dal—the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In addition to naming ten prominent NCP figures, the complaint accuses 40 to 50 unidentified individuals.

The key accused named in the case include Nasiruddin Patwari, Sarjis Alam, Nur Alam Chowdhury, Fakhrul Zakir, A. Hai Kamal, Ruham Gazi, Mahbubul Bari Chowdhury Mubin, Nahid Uddin Tarek, Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, and Wadud Mahmud Chowdhury.

Details of the Incident

According to the written complaint, violent clashes broke out in repeated phases between activists of the NCP and Chhatra Dal on 28 July between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm in front of the Court Mosque in Habiganj municipality. The complainant stated that Chhatra Dal members had gathered in the area to attend a memorial service and meet the family of Ripon Sheel, a martyr of the July uprising, as part of a central programme announced by the student organisation.

The complainant alleged that while their members were gathered, a group led by Nasiruddin Patwari, Sarjis Alam, Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, and Mahbubul Bari Chowdhury Mubin, along with 40 to 50 armed individuals carrying sharp weapons, iron rods, lethal cleavers (ramda), harpoons (fikol), and brickbats, launched an unprovoked attack on them.

Several local Chhatra Dal leaders, including District Chhatra Dal Leader Mahfuz Chowdhury and Mozakkir Hossain Imon, suffered injuries during the assault. Furthermore, the complainant alleged that the attackers mugged several individuals during the chaos, seizing mobile phones belonging to the complainant, Mozakkir Hossain Imon, Mahfuz Chowdhury, Mahmudul Hasan Gazi, and Shimul Hasan, alongside snatching Tk 50,000 in cash from another activist, Roxy Islam.

Police Reaction and Escalating Context

Speaking on the matter, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station, Md Zahidul Haq, confirmed the receipt of the complaint. He stated that police authorities are currently verifying the details and conducting a preliminary investigation. “If the allegations are substantiated upon investigation, necessary legal action will be taken in accordance with the law,” the officer remarked.

This legal action comes amidst a volatile political backdrop in the region. The altercation reportedly stems from escalating political friction surrounding the NCP’s nationwide campaign events, where political rivalry between newly emerging reformist citizen platforms and established student wings has led to intense counter-demonstrations and physical clashes across various districts. Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert in Habiganj to prevent any further deterioration of the law and order situation.