Violence broke out Tuesday inside Nagar Bhaban during a protest backing BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.
The unrest followed 40 days of demonstrations under the “Dhakabashir” platform. City workers joined the protest in its later stages.
On Monday, protest organizers announced a pause. The main gate of the city office was reopened and public services resumed.
But by Tuesday afternoon, tensions flared again. Reports said a group opposed to Ishraque entered the building, leading to scuffles between two factions of the nationalist labor union.
After the day’s events turned violent, leaving several people hurt and reporters complaining they were blocked from the scene, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain went into damage control mode. His first stop was Dhaka Medical College Hospital to check on the injured. But his most crucial move was publicly disowning the attackers.
When asked if they were linked to the BNP, he drew a hard line: “They may have once claimed to be with us,” he said, “but anyone using our party’s name for extortion and looting is not part of our movement.”
He said the attackers disrupted a peaceful environment just as residents were returning for services.
“It’s a deliberate attempt to create fear and shift blame onto those of us involved in this movement,” he said.
He described a growing pattern of mobs creating instability. “This mob culture, where groups show up and cause chaos, is dangerous,” he added.
“We want Bangladesh to move past this and become a secure and stable state.”
He also claimed the party was being unfairly portrayed in the media. “BNP is facing a media trial,” he said. “Those pushing authoritarian narratives through journalism should be removed.”
Despite the violence, Ishraque urged residents not to be afraid. “Come and get the services you need. Don’t let this stop you.”
