Violence erupts in Hatiya: Clash at former MP‍‍`s residence leaves three injured

Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila witnessed a tense night as chaos erupted at the residence of former MP Mohammad Ali, with vandalism, arson, and gunfire leaving three people injured.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, around 2 a.m., at Oskhali in the municipality, escalating tensions in the region.

The unrest began earlier that night when, at around 11 p.m., members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and a group of local residents gathered at Oskhali Bazaar.

From there, they marched towards the home of Mohammad Ali.

Their goal was to vandalize the residence, but they were met with resistance from local residents and supporters of the former MP.

A chaotic scene of chasing and counter-chasing unfolded as both sides clashed.

Things took a violent turn when members of the student movement alleged that shots were fired at them from Mohammad Ali‍‍`s house.

Meanwhile, supporters of Mohammad Ali claimed that groups of people launched repeated attacks on his properties in Oskhali, attempting to vandalize and set fire to two of his houses.

By 2 a.m., the crowd had managed to damage both homes and set them ablaze.

In addition to the homes, six speedboats and four trawlers owned by Mohammad Ali were also set on fire at Afazia Ghat.

Hatiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Azmal Huda, confirmed the events, saying,

"An enraged crowd, consisting of students and locals, vandalized and set fire to two houses belonging to former MP Mohammad Ali. They also torched six speedboats and four trawlers at the ghat. During the clash, three individuals were injured. One has been admitted to the upazila health complex, and two others received primary treatment."

This violent outburst comes after a previous incident in August last year.

On the night of August 10, at around 3 a.m., the Navy took Mohammad Ali, his wife and former MP Ayesha Ferdous, and their son, Upazila Chairman Ashiq Ali Omi, into custody from their Oskhali home.

Since August 12, all three have been held in jail, further intensifying tensions in the local area.

The situation remains volatile, with local authorities keeping a close watch on the aftermath of the incident.

Further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and the exact cause of the confrontation.