Tensions flared in the capital on Saturday evening as the Jatiya Party’s (JaPa) central office in Kakrail came under attack, resulting in vandalism and arson. The incident unfolded shortly after 6:15 p.m., when groups of political activists gathered near the party headquarters.

Eyewitnesses reported that two separate processions converged near the site. One rally was brought by leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad from Bijoynagar, while another was led by Islami Andolan Bangladesh from Paltan. Their presence in front of the JaPa office quickly escalated into a heated situation, drawing hundreds of people into a charged environment.

For nearly fifteen minutes, tension gripped the area as activists shouted slogans and confronted one another. According to witnesses, Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders eventually managed to pull their supporters back, seemingly diffusing the standoff. However, only a few minutes later, an unidentified group reportedly approached the JaPa headquarters from the rear. They began pelting stones at the building, breaking windows and damaging the entrance.

As the attack intensified, assailants forced their way into the office, smashing furniture and setting fire to the premises. Chairs, tables, and other items were dragged outside and torched in the street, creating a scene of chaos. Thick smoke billowed from the building as flames spread, forcing nearby shopkeepers and pedestrians to flee the area.

Law enforcement quickly intervened, deploying both batons and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Police also began working to extinguish the fire, spraying water inside the office and on the burning furniture outside. By around 6:40 p.m., the situation was partially brought under control, though the office remained heavily damaged.

Earlier in the afternoon, members of Gono Odhikar Parishad had staged a protest rally in Bijoynagar. The demonstration was called in response to the previous night’s clashes and an attack on the party’s president, former Dhaka University Central Students’ Union vice president Nurul Haque Nur. The rally demanded punishment for those responsible for the assault and greater protection for opposition voices. Following the gathering, activists launched a procession that moved through Paltan, the National Press Club, Matsya Bhaban, and Kakrail before circling back towards Bijoynagar.

The violence at the JaPa office is believed to be linked to Friday night’s confrontation in Bijoynagar between JaPa and Gono Odhikar Parishad activists. That incident saw a fierce clash erupt, prompting police to use force to separate the two groups. Baton charges and other measures left dozens injured, including prominent leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad.

Among those seriously hurt was Nurul Haque Nur himself, who sustained significant injuries. Initial treatment was provided at Islami Bank Hospital, but his condition required transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s emergency unit later that night. Party sources confirmed that General Secretary Rashed Khan was also injured along with at least fifty activists.

Saturday’s unrest underscores the growing volatility in the city’s political climate. Clashes between opposition groups and confrontations with ruling party allies have become more frequent in recent months, often spiraling into violence. The attack on the Jatiya Party headquarters adds a new dimension to the conflict, as the party has historically played a balancing role in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

As night fell over Dhaka, the streets near Kakrail remained under heightened police surveillance. Firefighters and security forces continued working to ensure no further flare-ups occurred in the area. The charred remains of furniture and broken glass around the Jatiya Party office bore testimony to the violence that had unfolded just an hour earlier.

While no official statement was immediately issued by the Jatiya Party leadership, local activists expressed outrage over the attack, calling it a direct assault on the party’s ability to function politically. On the other hand, leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad maintained that their members were not responsible for the arson and vandalism, pointing instead to unidentified miscreants who may have taken advantage of the tense situation.

The latest events have added to public concern about the possibility of escalating unrest in the capital as political rivalries intensify. With both sides trading blame and injuries piling up among grassroots activists, questions remain about how far these confrontations may go in the run-up to future political programs.

For now, police have confirmed that additional forces will remain stationed in Kakrail and Bijoynagar to prevent further violence. An investigation has also been launched into the attack on the Jatiya Party office, though no arrests were reported by the end of the evening.

The scenes of fire, shattered windows, and scattered furniture serve as a stark reminder of the fragile political environment, where disagreements increasingly spill over into violent street confrontations. As Dhaka recovers from another night of turmoil, the incident marks yet another flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between rival opposition factions seeking to assert their presence in the national political stage.