Journalist chopped, police seek refuge in mosque amid violent protests in Bhanga

Bhanga of Faridpur erupted in chaos as protests against parliamentary constituency delimitation and a police-led case turned violent. 

Demonstrators attacked key government buildings, including the Upazila Parishad office, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) office, the Upazila Officers Club, the Highway Police Station, and the Municipality, vandalising and setting them ablaze. 

During the unrest, MyTV journalist Sarwar Hossain was brutally hacked while documenting the violence at the Upazila Parishad. Jamuna TV correspondent Abdul Mannan and several other journalists were also injured, with their mobile phones confiscated. 

The injured are receiving treatment at Bhanga Upazila Health Complex.

The protests, initially paused early Monday, resumed after 10:30 am with a road blockade. 

When law enforcement attempted to restore traffic flow, clashes erupted, leading to a chase and counter-chase. By 1:00 pm, thousands of protesters, armed with batons, ramdas, and local weapons, gathered at the bus stand and attacked police on duty. 

Around 10-12 officers, bloodied from brickbats, fled to the Central Eidgah Mosque for safety. 

Teachers and students from the nearby madrasa and mosque intervened to protect the officers from the enraged mob, which briefly surrounded them.

The protesters then targeted the police station, vandalising vehicles and the building, trapping officers inside. 

They later moved to the Upazila Parishad office, causing extensive damage and setting motorcycles on fire, before attacking the highway office and municipality.

Despite law enforcement, army, and police presence maintaining normalcy until 10:30 am, locals unexpectedly regrouped by 11:30 am. 

Bhanga UNO Md. Mizanur Rahman confirmed the vandalism of parts of his office and the election office, stating he was in a safe location but declined further comment. 

Police and election officials are reportedly sheltered in the Bhanga police station and traffic police office. Senior police officers were unreachable for comment.

The unrest erupted from an August 4 Election Commission gazette merging Algi and Hamirdi unions of Faridpur-4 with Faridpur-2, prompting locals to block highways, railways, and the Dhaka-Mawa Bhanga Expressway for five days across three phases, severely disrupting 21 South Bengal districts. 

A three-day blockade was announced last Saturday, followed by the arrest of MM Siddique Mia, chief coordinator of the All-Party Unity Council and Algi Union Parishad chairman. 

On Sunday night, police filed a case against 90 individuals for disturbing law and order.