Activists of Natun Dhara Bangladesh (NDB) and the Rashtra Songlap Forum (SDF) engaged in a series of clashes and chases at the National Press Club and later inside Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday.
The violence left several individuals injured, including NDB Senior Vice Chairman Shanta Farzana and SDF Member Secretary ANM Ayas, both of whom required medical treatment. Following the incidents, Shahbagh police took six NDB leaders into custody from the hospital and Press Club areas.
The detainees have been identified as NDB Chairman Momin Mehedi, Senior Vice Chairman Shanta Farzana, Vice Chairman Dr Nurjahan Nira, Joint Secretary General Monir Zaman, and Organising Secretaries Atap Mondal and Haridas Sarkar.
The conflict reportedly began around Tuesday evening during an NDB protest programme at the National Press Club, organised to condemn a previous assault on Shanta Farzana on 1 August.
According to NDB Chairman Momin Mehedi, the demonstration was peaceful and attended by journalists until ANM Ayas and his supporters launched an unprovoked attack, injuring numerous party members.
Conversely, SDF leaders alleged that the confrontation was sparked when Shanta Farzana used offensive language directed at the “July warriors” and the Prime Minister during her speech. SDF activists claimed they were attacked by NDB supporters when they arrived to protest against the remarks.
The tension escalated further when both groups clashed again inside the Emergency Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The confrontation caused a significant disturbance, halting medical services for approximately one and a half hours and creating panic among patients and their relatives.
During the stand-off at the hospital, Fahim Faruki, the Convener of Moncho 24, led a demonstration demanding the immediate arrest of Shanta Farzana for her alleged derogatory comments.
He stated that his group would not leave the hospital premises until she was taken into custody.
Inspector Md Faruk of the DMCH police camp confirmed that the situation was eventually brought under control after one group took a position outside the hospital while the other remained inside.
In a separate incident in Mohammedpur, clashes were also reported between activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Government Graphic Arts Institute.
