National Citizen Party leaders, including convener and parliamentary opposition chief whip Nahid Islam and southern region chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, were travelling to Habiganj to join a protest over attacks on the party’s July march. The administration imposed Section 144 after the BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal announced programmes at the same location, but NCP leaders still planned to go ahead with their programme.

NCP media subcommittee member Yasir Arafat said the leaders were very close to the location for the purpose of holding the programme. Asked how they would proceed under the order, he said a further decision would be made after the convener and other central leaders arrived. Central leaders Nasiruddin Patwary and Sarjis Alam were already in Habiganj.

During Tuesday’s July march in Habiganj town and while returning afterward, the convoy carrying NCP central leaders was attacked repeatedly, according to the report. Allegations were made against BNP and Chhatra Dal activists. Sarjis Alam and several other central leaders were later confined, before leaving Habiganj at night with assistance from law enforcement agencies. Tensions persisted in the district after the new Wednesday programme was announced.