Jatiyo Party chief GM Quader's Rangpur house attacked; NCP, SAD activists blamed
Eyewitnesses reported that attackers threw stones and vandalised the windows of the house. A motorcycle was also torched at the time.
An attack took place on the Rangpur residence of Jatiyo Party (JaPa) Chairman GM Quader tonight (29 May).
The incident occurred a little before 9pm at the home, named "The Sky View", in the Senpara area of Rangpur city.
Eyewitnesses reported that attackers threw stones and vandalised the windows of the house. A motorcycle was also torched at the time.
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Confirming the JaPa chief was inside the house during the attack, the party's Co-Chairman and former Rangpur city mayor Mostafizar Rahman alleged that leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement were involved in the attack.
Following the incident, SAD members and JaPa activists staged counter-demonstrations. Several rounds of clashes and chase-counter-chase ensued between the two groups.
Following the incident, additional police and army forces were deployed in the area and around the city to maintain law and order.
Earlier in the afternoon, Quader had arrived in Rangpur and gave an interview at his Senpara residence, discussing the country's current situation and JaPa's position.
At the time, according to media reports, Quader said, "The interim government cannot hold elections — neither do they have the will nor the capacity to do so."
He alleged that the government is refusing to recognise JaPa, despite it being a registered political party under the Election Commission. "In contrast, a party [NCP] that hasn't even secured registration is being given priority in all areas.
"The government is practising a policy of segregation, pushing a large portion of the country to the margins by depriving them of all political rights."
Later in the evening, SAD announced a protest rally and sit-in, opposing Quader's presence in Rangpur, labelling him an "ally of the Awami League (AL)".
SAD activists gathered near the Rangpur Press Club and launched a protest march demanding Quader's arrest and the banning of the JaPa for being an AL ally. The march travelled through key city roads and gathered near the BNP office at Grand Hotel intersection before heading toward Quader's residence, witnesses said.
The attack and vandalism followed the march, during which one of the motorcycles parked in front of Sky View was torched, spreading mass panic.
After hearing the news, JaPa activists rushed to the spot, and a confrontation led to clashes with the protesters. The situation escalated, with SAD members taking positions at the Grand Hotel intersection and JaPa activists at Senpara.
Police arrived about 30 minutes later and began efforts to control the situation. At around 9:45 PM, the protesters moved toward Town Hall, while JaPa activists remained in front of their office at Senpara and Central Road.
At the scene, SM Yasir, general secretary of JaPa's Rangpur metropolitan unit, said, "We were at the party office when we learned that SAD members were protesting, demanding the arrest of our party's chairman. Then, together with NCP and another political group, they attacked GM Quader's residence.
"We want to engage in healthy politics, but those who lit the fire in Rangpur today may find it hard to put it out."
Mostafizar said, "There is no rule of law in the country. Otherwise, how could such an attack happen on someone's house? Now people gather in groups of 20 to 50 and engage in mob violence. We will observe today's incident and decide on our next steps."
Asked about the allegation, SAD Rangpur Metropolitan Unit Convener Imtiaz Ahmed told Prothom Alo that they were holding a peaceful march demanding action against "fascist collaborator" Quader.
He claimed it was actually JaPa members who attacked their activists first, leading to clashes. He also denied any attack on Quader's residence.
During the clashes, Imtiaz in a post on his Facebook profile also wrote, "Jatiyo Party attacked the protest march of student-people in Senpara. We urge the people of Rangpur and all political parties to join us at the Town Hall."
Regarding the matter, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ataur Rahman confirmed the situation and said, "Police have been deployed at the scene to bring the situation under control."
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majid Ali also told Prothom Alo that law enforcement was working to deescalate tensions between the two sides.
Nation no longer safe under the current government: Chunnu
Meanwhile, in a statement issued late at night, JaPa Secretary General Md Mujibul Haque Chunnu strongly condemned the attack on Quader's Rangpur residence.
"Once again, it has been proven that the people and the country are not safe under the current government," he said.
Chunnu described the attack as cowardly and called for the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible. He warned, "Every attack on GM Quader and the Jatiya Party will be answered by the people of this country.
"Those who have ignited the flames of mob violence in this nation will ultimately be consumed by that very fire."
Chunnu asserted that the assault on Quader was not just a personal attack, but a blatant blow to the practice of clean and transparent politics. He also cautioned that if the perpetrators are not brought to justice, the government will have to answer to the people's court.
