Tensions escalated in Chakaria on Saturday afternoon as a group of BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists allegedly vandalized the rally stage of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), leading to a brief standoff and intervention by law enforcement.
The incident occurred around 3:45 PM in front of the Janata Shopping Center, where the NCP had set up a makeshift stage atop a truck in preparation for their pre-scheduled rally.
Witnesses reported that a group of BNP and JCD members arrived at the location, forcefully dismantled the stage, tore down banners and festoons, and smashed the windshield of the truck used for the platform.
The attack is believed to have been provoked by a speech delivered earlier in the day by NCP coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary during a public meeting in Cox’s Bazar.
In his remarks, Patwary reportedly made critical comments about BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, a former state minister and prominent leader hailing from the same region.
The speech quickly spread on social media and drew the ire of local BNP supporters, who considered the comments insulting and defamatory.
Khairul Bashar, the NCP’s Chakaria Upazila coordinator, condemned the incident and claimed that the attackers were politically motivated. “BNP and Chhatra Dal activists stormed our rally venue with sticks and other objects. They vandalized our stage and tried to stop us from holding the event. This is an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression,” he said.
In response to the unrest, a joint team of local police and army personnel stationed nearby rushed to the scene.
The security forces managed to disperse the crowd and brought the situation under control before further escalation. No injuries were reported at the time of filing this report.
Local political analysts say this incident underscores the growing tension between emerging political platforms like the NCP and established parties such as the BNP, especially in areas with strong political loyalties.
The NCP, a newly formed political platform, has recently increased its activities across Cox’s Bazar and other parts of the country, often challenging the narratives of mainstream parties.
Despite the incident, NCP leaders said they are determined to carry on with their political programs and called on the Election Commission and law enforcement to ensure a peaceful political environment for all parties.
