In Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) constituency, a violent clash erupted when supporters of BNP nomination-hopeful Mahbubur Rahman Shamim allegedly attacked a torch procession carried out by supporters of former MP Engineer Fazlul Azim, who was denied party nomination. The attack triggered a chase-and-counter chase, multiple cocktail explosions, and arson, leading to injuries on both sides.
The incident took place on Saturday evening at Ochkhali Bazar. Following the confrontation, tension continued to grip the area.
According to multiple local sources, supporters of Engineer Fazlul Azim brought out a torch rally demanding that the BNP cancel Shamim’s nomination and instead nominate Azim. Suddenly, several supporters of Mahbubur Rahman Shamim—BNP’s Organizing Secretary and the party’s potential candidate—allegedly attacked the procession, hurling bricks and stones. The torch rally broke up, but shortly after, Azim’s supporters regrouped and retaliated, resulting in a chase-and-counter chase between the two factions. Several crude bombs (cocktails) were detonated during the chaos.
At one stage, Azim’s followers took control of the market area, marched with torches, burned tires on the road, and tore down Shamim’s banners and festoons. They also vandalized a residential hotel and a resort and set several motorcycles on fire. Police from Hatiya Police Station and River Police eventually arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, although tension remained high at Ochkhali Bazar.
Alauddin Alo, former General Secretary of Hatiya Municipality BNP and a member of Azim’s campaign team, said their torch rally was peaceful until attacked by Shamim’s supporters. “They threw bricks, carried out the assault, and set off cocktails, injuring several of our activists,” he said.
However, Lutfullahil Majid Nishan, former Senior Joint Secretary of Hatiya Upazila BNP and a member of Shamim’s campaign team, denied the allegation. He claimed that Azim’s supporters attacked them instead. “We were conducting campaign activities for the BNP-nominated candidate since noon. When our team reached the Ochkhali Zero Point, Azim’s supporters shouted provocative slogans and launched the attack. They vandalized a hotel, a resort, and set motorcycles on fire,” he said.
Police continue to monitor the situation as the area remains tense.
