Sporadic Violence in Hatiya as Journalist Is Attacked During Poll Duty

Sporadic outbreaks of violence marred polling-related activities in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali-6 on Thursday.The incident occurred shortly after midday in the Gamchakhali area of Char Ishwar Union. The journalist, Miraj Uddin, was returning from a visit to a polling centre at Bangla Bazar when assailants launched a sudden and targeted attack. The motorcyclist transporting him, Md Sakib, sustained serious injuries in the same assault.

Local residents reported that the attackers used sharp weapons, wounding both men before fleeing the scene. Police officers later rescued the injured pair and transported them to the Upazila Health Complex for urgent treatment. The assault on a member of the press has drawn widespread concern among civil society observers, who warned that such incidents undermine press freedom and the public’s right to information, particularly during a national election.

The attack on the journalist formed part of a wider pattern of election-related unrest across Hatiya. From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, scattered clashes were reported in several unions, including Ochkhali Bazar, Burirchar, Jahajmara, Nijhum Dwip and Sonadia. Supporters of the BNP (symbol: Sheaf of Paddy) and the NCP (symbol: Water Lily bud) were involved in retaliatory assaults in multiple locations. According to hospital sources, nearly fifty party activists and supporters from both sides were injured in these incidents.

Dr Md Wahidul Haque, the duty physician at the Hatiya Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that 38 injured individuals sought treatment at the emergency department. Of these, four were admitted for further observation and care, while the remainder were treated and discharged. “Most of the injuries were not life-threatening,” he said, “though several patients had wounds consistent with sharp objects.”

Political leaders exchanged blame over the violence. Yousuf Reza, convenor of the Hatiya Upazila Jubo Shakti and an associate of Hannan Masud, alleged that BNP activists attacked nearly fifty of their supporters across Sonadia, Jahajmara, Nijhum Dwip, Char Ishwar and Chanandi from Wednesday night onwards. He further claimed that polling agents affiliated with his group were forcibly expelled from several centres in Jahajmara shortly after voting commenced.

Rejecting these allegations, Fazlul Haque Khokon, former BNP convenor in Hatiya, dismissed the claims as unfounded and politically motivated, accusing rival groups of spreading rumours to mask anticipated electoral losses.

Hatiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Saiful Islam, acknowledged receiving reports of isolated incidents of violence. He stated that police and naval personnel were deployed promptly wherever disturbances were reported and that formal complaints would be investigated in accordance with the law. Authorities have pledged to strengthen patrols and security arrangements to ensure that the remainder of the electoral process proceeds peacefully.

Summary of Injuries and Medical Response

Observers and journalists’ associations have called for swift identification and prosecution of those responsible for attacking media workers, urging all political actors to exercise restraint and cooperate with law enforcement to safeguard a peaceful electoral environment.