Jatiya Party central office vandalized, set on fire again

Jatiya Party’s central office in Kakrail, Dhaka, was vandalized and set on fire once more on Friday evening.

The attack followed a solidarity rally organized by the party’s leaders and activists in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh.

The rally demanded three key points, including the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser for failing to address an earlier attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur by law enforcement.

After the rally, party members proceeded to their Paltan office, where the assault occurred shortly afterward.

Tensions escalated when police arrived about 30 minutes after the attack.

To disperse the crowd, they deployed water cannons and sound grenades, which further agitated the protesters. Eventually, the police managed to clear the area around the Jatiya Party office.

Masud Chowdhury, Joint Convener of Jatiya Party’s Dhaka Metropolitan South, told Daily Samakal that around 6:30 pm, approximately 100 leaders and activists were at the office discussing plans for Saturday’s Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH) event.

At around 7:30 pm, a group of 200 people attacked the office, setting the ground floor on fire, tearing down banners, and attempting to reach the second floor, he added.

Although police intervened, the attackers initially ignored them.

The situation was brought under control only after the use of sound grenades and water cannons, prompting the assailants to flee.

Jatiya Party activist Ovi reported that two of the three rooms, including a library, were severely damaged, with all books burned. Smoke billowed from the rooms, and police used water cannons to douse the flames.

Around 7:15 pm, Jatiya Party members staged a protest march from the office to Ramna Police Station and back.

Sub-Inspector Sajjad Hossain of Ramna Police Station confirmed that a group suddenly attacked the office, vandalizing furniture and attempting to set it on fire. Police responded swiftly, extinguished the flames, and restored order.

This marks the second attack on the Jatiya Party office recently. On August 30, a clash occurred during a procession by the Gono Odhikar Parishad, and the office was set ablaze.

That same day, law enforcement attacked Jatiya Party leaders, including Nurul Haque Nur, during preparations for a press conference at the Gono Odhikar office, leaving Nur seriously injured and under medical treatment.