Attack on Hannan Masud in Noakhali: What we know so far

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud has alleged that he and his supporters were attacked by expelled BNP activists in Hatia upazila of Noakhali during a rally.

The attack took place around 7:30pm today (24 March) in the upazila's Jahajmara Bazaar.

Hannan alleged that the attack was led by some people claiming to be former local BNP members. 

The NCP, on its Facebook page, has announced a protest rally over the incident at 12:00am tonight in Banglamotor of the capital.

Earlier in a post, he had said the attackers were BNP members.

He also claimed that five to six NCP supporters were injured in the attack.

Some NCP workers and supporters were holding a sit-in programme on the road at Jahajmara Bazaar since 8:30pm to protest the incident and demand that the culprits be brought to justice.

Speaking to reporters, Hannan Masud said, "At that time, some people expelled from the BNP entered our meeting with a procession. They attacked our people. Some of us were injured in this."

Mohammad Yusuf, an NCP supporter present at the sit-in programme, told reporters that the NCP leader came to Hatia last Saturday to inquire about the distressed people of the area.

He then went to Jahajmara Bazaar in the upazila. 

After iftar, he was addressing a street rally in the market at around 7:30pm. 

At that time, a group of people claiming to be from the BNP suddenly stopped the rally and launched the attack. 

At least five people were injured in their attack, he claimed.

When the crowd present at that time chased them, they fled. 

Later, NCP leaders and activists led by Hannan Masud started a sit-in programme at Jahajmara Bazar demanding the arrest and prosecution of the attackers. 

They will continue the programme until their demands are met.

AKM Ajmal Huda, officer-in-charge of Hatia Police Station, said, 'We came to the scene after hearing the news of the attack on Hannan Masud's road rally and will take action."