NCP-Student Clash in Shariatpur Seven Injured

Shariatpur Sadar Upazila witnessed a violent clash on Monday evening between activists of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) and the Student League, resulting in injuries to at least seven individuals from both sides. The confrontation involved improvised explosive devices, including cocktails, and other locally made weapons.

Among the injured, Naeem, a 25-year-old Student League activist, was reportedly in critical condition and was transferred to Dhaka for advanced medical care. The other six victims—Ashik (24), Nirab (19), Arman Darzi (26), Ishak Sardar (34), Abid Khan (28), and Mamun Majhi (30)—sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The incident occurred in the Chourangi Mor area during an NCP protest march. According to Shah Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Palong Model Police Station, the conflict began when a motorcycle unexpectedly entered the midst of the NCP march. “This provoked a verbal altercation between the two groups, which soon escalated into a full-fledged clash,” he stated. The officer confirmed that several cocktail explosions occurred during the scuffle, causing multiple injuries. Police promptly intervened to restore order, though no formal complaints have been filed as of now.

Local sources and police reports indicated that the NCP march originated from the Shariatpur Central Shaheed Minar and was intended to protest the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi, as well as to condemn a recent shooting targeting Motaleb Shikdar, a central organiser of the Workers’ Force in Khulna. Tensions escalated when a Student League member rode a motorcycle into the NCP procession, triggering the confrontation.

Both sides have lodged accusations against each other. Sohel Talukdar, District Secretary of the Student League, claimed that an NCP activist blocked one of their members, prompting a sudden attack. “The cocktail explosions were initiated by NCP activists to frame our members. Allegations that our side vandalised the NCP office are completely false,” he said.

Conversely, former NCP Joint Coordinator Sabuj Talukdar argued that the Student League member attacked one of their activists and later provided inconsistent statements, leading to his temporary detention. He further alleged that Student League members assaulted NCP activists with local weapons and explosives.

Ishak Sardar, Deputy Convener of the Shariatpur District Student League, recounted that he was attacked while attempting to mediate, adding that many of the assailants had previously been affiliated with the Student League and possessed both domestic and foreign firearms.

Aminul Mohammed Jitu, former Chief Coordinator of the Shariatpur Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed surprise over the incident, noting that members of both groups had historically collaborated in anti-fascist movements. “Such violence is unprecedented in Shariatpur,” he said.

The clash underscores rising political tensions in Shariatpur and raises concerns over public safety during protest marches.