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Published : 30 Aug 2025, 08:19 PM
The central office of the Jatiya Party in Dhaka’s Kakrail has been vandalised and set on fire, following clashes from the previous day.
In two separate attacks, a section of the building’s ground floor was charred by fire.
The first attack took place around 6:30pm on Saturday, when Gono Odhikar Parishad members marched to the office, vandalised the exterior, and set it on fire.
About an hour later, a second wave of attack took place when a group of people arrived from the opposite side of the building’s alley and set fire to the office again.
Police, present at the scene, intervened, pushing the attackers back and using water cannons to control the flames.
During both attacks, a large contingent of law enforcers was present at the scene.
Despite the heavy police presence, the attacks unfolded before the situation was brought under control.
Dhaka Metropolitan’s Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam told bdnews24.com, “They [Gono Odhikar Parishad] had a programme, and after it ended, they set the fire. We then cleared them out and extinguished the flames. The situation is now calm."
After the vandalism and arson, a tense atmosphere lingered around the area, although no Jatiya Party members were seen present at the scene.
Witnesses and police said a demonstration by Gono Odhikar Parishad was taking place at their Bijoynagar office from 4pm. After the assembly, activists marched through Paltan intersection, National Press Club, Matsyabhaban, and Kakrail, and initially returned after being blocked by police. Within minutes, they returned to launch the attacks on the Jatiya Party office.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary has held Gono Odhikar Parishad responsible for the attack.
He claimed, “In retaliation for Friday's incident, Gono Odhikar Parishad's leaders and their supporters attacked our central office, committing acts of arson and vandalism.”
Patwary condemned the violence, describing it as "absolutely unacceptable".
The clash on Friday evening, which led to the attack, occurred near the Jatiya Party's central office when a procession by Gono Odhikar Parishad passed by.
Later that evening, after completing a torch procession, Gono Odhikar Parishad attempted to hold a press briefing outside their office.
Law enforcers allegedly responded with baton charges. During the crackdown, the party’s President Nurul Haque Nur was seriously injured and is currently admitted to Dhaka Medical.
