30/07/2026
HABIGANJ, Bangladesh— Hasnat Abdullah, a Member of Parliament and chief southern organizer for the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), issued a fiery pledge on Wednesday as law enforcement blocked his convoy from entering Habiganj following a wave of political violence.
"Only five of us will go to Habiganj in a single vehicle," Abdullah insisted. "We will not return without filing a case. If the people of Habiganj attack me, I will consider it my destiny."
Police intercepted the NCP delegation on the Mirpur-Sreemangal highway in the Rashidpur area of Bahubal upazila on Wednesday afternoon.
Superintendent of Police Md. Tareq Mahmud stated that authorities were advising the delegation against entering Habiganj purely out of concern for their safety, which prompted the roadblock.
Tensions High on the Highway
Witnesses reported that a high-profile delegation—including NCP Convener MP Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Northern Organizer Sarjis Alam, MP Hasnat Abdullah, and Reserved Seat MP Dr. Mahmuda Mitu—departed Moulvibazar for Habiganj on Wednesday afternoon.
The convoy faced its first police blockade in the Muchai area of Sreemangal. Following an extended scuffle and heated argument with officers, the leaders managed to push through, only to be stopped a second time at Rashidpur in Bahubal upazila, where another confrontation erupted.
Video footage from the scene shows police officers urging the leaders to return to Moulvibazar. However, the NCP lawmakers firmly rejected the request, refusing to back down from their demand to reach Habiganj.
Eruption of Violence and Lockdown
The standoff follows a violent outbreak on Tuesday in Habiganj town. After wrapping up a "July March" rally near the Saifur Rahman Town Hall, the NCP central leaders were heading toward the local Circuit House when a group of youths ambushed their convoy in the Sabujbagh area.
Attackers vandalized the vehicles carrying Nasiruddin Patwary and Sarjis Alam. The leaders sought refuge inside a main branch of Sonali Bank as the opposing sides hurled bricks at each other. At least 20 people, including Sarjis Alam, were injured in the clash.
Police rescued the stranded leaders around 8:00 PM and escorted them to the Circuit House. Alam left for Moulvibazar later that night, while Patwary departed for Dhaka.
In the wake of the assault, opposing political factions—including the National Nationalist Party's youth and student wings alongside the NCP—announced competing demonstration programs. Fearing further escalations, local authorities imposed Section 144 emergency restrictions across Habiganj municipality on Wednesday morning and deployed three platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to maintain order.