Section 144 Imposed in Habiganj

The district administration has imposed Section 144 across the Habiganj municipal area on Wednesday following heightened tension over counter-programs announced by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and BNP’s student and youth wings, Chhatradal and Jubo Dal.

District Magistrate Dr. G M Sarfaraz issued the executive order to avert potential violence, property damage, and the disruption of public order. Under the restriction, all public gatherings of five or more people, rallies, processions, picketing, loud noise creation, and use of loudspeakers remain strictly prohibited in the municipal zone until further notice.

The NCP had called for a protest rally and road meeting at 3:00 PM on Wednesday to protest an earlier attack on its central leaders in Habiganj. High-profile NCP figures—including party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam MP, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain MP, Northern Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah MP, and Southern Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam MP—were scheduled to join the rally.

Simultaneously, Habiganj Sadar Upazila BNP, Habiganj Municipal BNP, along with district units of Chhatradal and Jubo Dal, announced protest rallies and sit-in demonstrations at the same venue and time, accusing NCP leadership of making "provocative and false statements" regarding BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

The overlapping announcements created widespread tension throughout Habiganj town. Meanwhile, Habiganj Superintendent of Police Md. Tarek Mahmud stated that law enforcement agencies are analyzing video footage from the previous day's clashes to identify those involved and pursue legal action.