Scuffle breaks out at National Memorial between Jatiyo Party, Chhatra Shakti activists

A scuffle broke out between activists of the Jatiyo Party and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti – an associate organisation of the National Citizen Party – at the National Memorial in Savar this morning (26 March), ahead of wreath-laying on the occasion of Independence Day.

The incident occurred while leaders and activists of both sides were waiting in queues to pay tribute, triggering a brief hand-to-hand clash.

Jatiyo Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary was present at the scene, while Ahsan Labib, senior vice-president of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, was among those on the other side.

At least one Jatiyo Party leader was reportedly injured, though his identity could not be immediately confirmed.

Jatiyo Party leaders said they were standing in line with banners and wreaths to pay respects to the martyrs when a group allegedly launched a planned attack. The party claimed its activists responded in a restrained manner.

Shameem Haider Patwary told the media that they were not yet certain who was behind the attack, but alleged that "anti-liberation forces" could be responsible.

"We were marching when some youths attacked our procession. Our activists resisted them politely," he said, adding that no casualties were reported from his party.

In contrast, Chhatra Shakti activists alleged that tensions escalated after both sides began chanting slogans.

Ahsan Labib, who is also the social welfare secretary of Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu), told The Business Standard that their activists began chanting slogans in response to those raised by the Jatiyo Party, which led to the confrontation.

He alleged that a Jatiyo Party leader attacked their senior joint secretary, Nayeem Abedin, prompting their activists to tear down the Jatiyo Party's banner.