An attack took place at the venue of a BNP discussion meeting in Kapasia, Gazipur, following the event’s conclusion on Saturday.
The assailants vandalized chairs and the stage, injuring three people, including Rocky Hossain, 26, a photojournalist with Jamuna TV’s Gazipur bureau.
The incident occurred around 2:15pm in the Choragali Mor area of Chandpur Union.
The other injured individuals are Sakhawat Hossain Selim, a member of the Gazipur District BNP convening committee, and his driver, Delwar Hossain. Rocky Hossain is currently receiving treatment at Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.
The meeting was presided over by former Kapasia Upazila BNP president Jamal Uddin Ahmed. Retired Major Shafiullah Mithu attended as a special guest, and Sakhawat Hossain Selim served as the chief guest.
According to several BNP activists, the meeting was arranged to discuss committee formation and other organizational issues. A section of party activists and journalists attended. After the program, most attendees left, while several journalists remained nearby. Moments later, a group of 20–25 young men arrived on motorcycles and began vandalizing the stage and chairs.
As journalists, including Jamuna TV’s Rocky Hossain, tried to film the attack, the perpetrators turned on them. Rocky’s microphone, ID card, live streaming device, and laptop were reportedly snatched.
Locals rescued the injured and took them to the hospital. The other two victims received primary treatment.
The attackers were reportedly chanting slogans in support of Shah Riazul Hannan, joint convener of the Gazipur District BNP and son of late Brigadier General (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah. Riazul is reportedly preparing to contest from the Gazipur-4 constituency, while Shafiullah Mithu is also seeking the BNP nomination from the same seat.
Sakhawat Hossain Selim claimed that the attackers were supporters of Riazul Hannan. “They believe no one else should be allowed to do politics in Kapasia,” he said. “This isn’t the first time our events have been attacked.”
In response, Shah Riazul Hannan said he visited the injured journalist at the hospital. “Journalists have the right to report from anywhere,” he stated. “If anyone attacks them using the party’s name, organizational action will be taken.”
Kapasia police station OC Zainal Abedin Mondal said no formal complaint had been filed regarding the incident.
“We will investigate and take legal action if a complaint is submitted,” he added.
