A National Citizens Party (NCP) programme in Hatiya on the south coast, in honour of Abdul Hannan Masud, the party's senior joint coordinator, came under attack Monday evening, leaving Hannan and several of his supporters injured.

The incident took place around 7:30pm on Monday, when he visited Jahajmara Union to exchange post-Iftar greetings with locals. NCP was quick to blame the BNP for the attack.

Abu Yusuf, Hatiya Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the platform that led the uprising against Sheikh Hasina's Awami League last year, said, “BNP supporters obstructed Abdul Hannan Masud’s programme. In response, Masud shortened his event and urged supporters not to react to any provocation. He then staged a sit-in protest with his activists on the main road of Jahajmara Bazar.”

Vote for those who will work for you: NCP leader Sarjis Alam tells rally

Accusing BNP activists, Hannan Masud said, "Some BNP-affiliated leaders and activists disrupted my program. I will not leave until the administration takes action against them."

According to local witnesses, when the two groups eventually came face-to-face, they inevitably clashed and in this, Hannan and his supporters came off worse, with one of them admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. Later, police and the Navy arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Regarding the incident, Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Lutfullahil Majid Nishan claimed a BNP man was attacked first: "Upazila Krishak Dal Convener Abdur Rob was beaten and injured. When local BNP members staged a protest march, tensions escalated."

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Azmal Huda said, "Upon receiving the information, we quickly reached the scene. Police and the stationed Navy forces in Hatiya brought the situation under control. The situation is now normal."