Three business establishments were allegedly vandalised and looted, while a union parishad panel chairman and a ward member were assaulted during a protest procession by BNP leaders and activists against the now-banned Awami League in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali on Monday night.

The attackers also allegedly vandalised the residence of Kalaiya Union Parishad Chairman SM Faisal Ahmed, also known as Monir Hossain Molla, who previously served as general secretary of the upazila unit of the now-banned Jubo League.

According to local witnesses, the procession was led by former joint convener of Bauphal Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal Md Riaz Panchayet and began in the Kalaiya Bazar area around the evening.

When the procession reached Payda Road at around 7:30 pm, some participants allegedly attacked the pharmacy of Rajib Chandra Shil, 30, and the hardware shop of Md Zafar Khan, 40. Both businessmen were reportedly assaulted during the incident.

Shortly afterwards, the group allegedly attacked the temporary office and rod-and-cement business of Kalaiya Union Parishad Panel Chairman Md Firoz Hawlader on Katpatri Road. Firoz was beaten and his business establishment was looted, he alleged.

Another businessman and Ward No. 1 member of Kalaiya Union Parishad, Md Forkan, 45, was also reportedly assaulted during the violence.

Around 8:00 pm, the procession allegedly moved to Sundari Cinema Hall Road, where participants vandalised the residence of Kalaiya Union Parishad Chairman SM Faisal Ahmed.

According to local sources, Faisal has been away from the area since August 5, 2024.

Firoz Hawlader alleged that the attackers assaulted him without provocation and looted more than Tk 400,000 from his business establishment.

Officer-in-Charge of Bauphal Police Station Md Sirajul Islam said police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

"If a written complaint is filed, necessary legal action will be taken," the OC said.