Police deploy sound grenades, water cannons, and batons to disperse Gono Odhikar protesters after fire and vandalism at JaPa office
- Update Time : 02:00:15 pm, Saturday, 30 August 2025
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On August 30, police used sound grenades, water cannons, and baton charges to disperse leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad from the Jatiyo Party (JaPa) Central Office in Kakrail, Dhaka, following allegations of vandalism and arson at the office.
According to reports, members of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nurul Haque Nur, clashed with police in the Bijoy Nagar area during the unrest. At the time of the fire, the JaPa office was locked, and no party officials were inside. Ramna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Faruk stated that authorities had attempted to maintain calm from the outset. He added, “Suddenly, 7-8 individuals set fire in front of the JaPa office from another street. To control the situation, we deployed water cannons and sound grenades.”
Jatiyo Party Dhaka District Organising Secretary Laizul Islam said that earlier in the day, the party had conducted a representative meeting of Mymensingh and Dhaka districts under the guidance of the Secretary-General. Around 5 pm, police asked party members to vacate the area in front of the office, which they did. He alleged that at approximately 6:30 pm, Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders and activists returned, vandalized the office, and set it on fire.
Earlier on Saturday, Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders and activists held a demonstration in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area near their central office to protest an attack on their president, Nurul Haque Nur, the previous day.
During the rally, General Secretary Rashed Khan emphasized three demands: the resignation of the home affairs adviser, accountability for the attack on Nur, and a government-led investigation committee into the incident. The party also called for the Jatiyo Party to be banned within 48 hours.
Leaders and activists from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and AB Party also participated in the demonstration. Following the rally, protesters staged a march through the Paltan area.
This series of demonstrations comes amid nationwide protests organized earlier by Gono Odhikar Parishad, as announced by Rashed Khan.
