National Citizen Party Fruit Festival Attacked In Rupganj

A criminal case has been formally registered against 120 individuals, including prominent former leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, following a violent assault on a fruit festival organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP). The incident occurred in the Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj district, sparking tensions and prompt intervention by local law enforcement. The initiation of the legal proceedings was officially confirmed on the night of Sunday, 7 June, by Inspector (Investigation) Mohammad Moktar Hossain of the Rupganj Police Station.

Initial Filing and Detentions

The formal legal complaint was lodged at the Rupganj Police Station on Sunday morning by Al Farabi, the Joint Member Secretary of the Upazila unit of Juba Shakti, who sustained injuries during the physical altercation. The case deposition explicitly identifies 20 individuals by name, whilst placing accusations against an additional 100 unidentified perpetrators.

In a rapid operational response following the registration of the case, the local police apprehended two suspects, identified respectively as Niloy and Raju. Following their arrest, both individuals were produced before a local court, which subsequently ordered them to be remanded in judicial custody and transferred to prison.

Details of the Armed Assault

According to the official First Information Report (FIR) submitted to the authorities, the violent disruption transpired on Saturday afternoon during the ongoing NCP fruit festival. A coordinated group of individuals, reportedly wielding a variety of local sharp weapons and firearms, launched a sudden and unprovoked assault on the gathering. The assailants targeted the main stage and the surrounding event infrastructure, carrying out widespread acts of vandalism. The primary financial losses resulting from the physical destruction of the venue and stage equipment have been estimated at approximately 200,000 BDT.

Furthermore, the FIR notes that when Al Farabi and several other organizers attempted to intervene and protect the attendees, they were subjected to severe physical assaults by the attackers. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the assailants systematically plundered the venue, looting vital equipment essential for the function.

The stolen items included the public address microphones, the main sound system, and operational batteries, alongside a significant quantity of the diverse fruits assembled specifically for the festival. The aggregate valuation of the plundered property and fresh produce has been officially assessed at approximately 400,000 BDT.

Named Political Figures and Leadership Demands

Among the key political figures specifically named as primary accused in the law enforcement dossier are:

• Maruf Molla: The former Joint Convenor of the Rupganj Upazila Chhatra Dal.

• Sultan Mahmud: The former Senior Vice-President of the District Chhatra Dal.

• Rubel Pasha: The General Secretary of the Daudpur Union Juba Dal.

• Mainul Islam Suruj: The former Vice-President of the District Chhatra Dal.

Reacting firmly to the violent escalation, Yasin Arafat, the Senior Assistant Organising Secretary of the central Juba Shakti committee, stated that a formal case encompassing charges of attempted murder had been instituted against the perpetrators. He issued an urgent appeal to the administration for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of all remaining suspects.

“Violence and terrorist activities within legitimate political programmes are entirely unacceptable under any circumstances. The administration must enforce definitive measures to prevent the recurrence of such disruptive incidents,” Yasin Arafat emphasised.

Ongoing Investigative Proceedings

Inspector (Investigation) Mohammad Moktar Hossain assured the public that a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the violent disturbance is actively underway. He reiterated that the police department is utilizing both digital forensics and local intelligence to precisely identify every individual involved in the vandalism and theft.

The inspector confirmed that the two previously detained individuals remain behind bars following their judicial presentation, and that coordinated police drives are being sustained across various sectors of Narayanganj to ensure the remaining named and anonymous suspects are brought to justice in accordance with the law.