5 injured as NCP, JCD clash in Shariatpur

At least five people were injured in a clash between activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in the Chowrangi area of Shariatpur on Monday evening, December 22.

Police said the identities of the injured could not be confirmed immediately.

According to eyewitnesses, NCP activists were holding a protest march through the town, demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, who was shot dead, and protesting a recent gun attack on Motaleb Shikdar, a central organiser of the Labour Wing, in Khulna.

Tensions flared when a Chhatra Dal activist on a motorcycle attempted to pass through the procession, triggering a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into a physical clash, leaving five people injured.

Leaders of both organisations blamed each other for the violence.

Sohel Talukdar, member secretary of Shariatpur Chhatra Dal, claimed one of their activists was blocked while travelling on the road. “When we arrived at the scene, NCP activists launched an unprovoked attack. We demand a fair investigation,” he said.

In contrast, Sabuj Talukdar, former joint coordinator of the NCP district committee, alleged that a Chhatra Dal activist entered the march on a motorcycle and attacked one of their supporters. “When we tried to restrain him, Chhatra Dal members, led by Sohel Talukdar, attacked us with homemade weapons,” he claimed.

Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of Palong Model Police Station, said police were aware of the incident. Legal action would be taken upon receipt of formal complaints, he added.