Supporters of the Awami League have been accused of attacking and vandalising a ward-level office of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali, reportedly over local dominance. The incident took place on Saturday evening at Bhairab Bazar in Ward No. 6 of Char King Union. Four leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations were injured in the attack.

According to local residents, tensions had been ongoing between supporters of the Awami League and BNP in the Bridge Bazar area of Char King Union over control and influence. As part of this dispute, Awami League activists allegedly attacked and injured Swechchhasebak Dal member Mozakker Bari with sharp weapons on the night of 13 December.

Following the incident, Mozakker Bari filed a case naming Union Awami League office secretary Abu Taher and 13 others as accused. On Saturday evening, police visited the area to investigate the case.

BNP leaders and activists alleged that after police left the scene, followers of Abu Taher launched an attack on the BNP office at Bhairab Bazar, vandalising the premises. The injured were identified as Char King Union Krishak Dal member Md Saharaj (32), Jubo Dal activist Md Rubel (35), Md Monir (35), and Kabir Uddin (48), a member of the Hatiya upazila BNP membership committee.

Among them, Saharaj was admitted to the Hatiya Upazila Health Complex, while the other three received primary treatment.

Md Shamim Uddin, Sub-Assistant Community Medical Officer at the health complex, said one injured person was admitted on Saturday night and is currently undergoing treatment.

Mozakker Bari said the attack on the BNP office occurred shortly after he provided information to the police, leaving four people injured.

Attempts to contact Awami League leader Abu Taher were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remained switched off. Local sources said he and his supporters have been absent from the area since the incident.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Alam said there had previously been a clash between two local groups over dominance, which resulted in a case being filed. However, he said he was not yet aware of the alleged attack and vandalism at the BNP office on Saturday evening. He added that the matter is being looked into and appropriate action will be taken if a complaint is filed.