Attack on NCP and anti-discriminatory leaders in Ashulia late at night, 8 injured

At least eight people were injured in an attack on members of the National Citizen Party's (NCP) labour wing and leaders of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement in Ashulia, Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.

The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Wednesday night in the Goailbari Bazar area, according to local media.

According to the injured, the assault was triggered by their efforts to report an illegal lead smelting factory operating nearby. Three victims—Rifat Ahmed (27), central organiser of the NCP labour wing; Tawhidul Islam (23), joint member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement's Savar unit; and Hridoy Hasan (24), senior co-chief organiser—were admitted to Enam Medical College Hospital. The remaining five were treated at various local hospitals.

Hospital authorities confirmed that one of the admitted individuals required stitches to the head, while the others sustained injuries to different parts of the body.

The victims recounted that they had visited a friend's house in the Shimulia area earlier in the evening. While out for tea, they noticed a strong odour and learned from a local resident about an illegal factory smelting batteries to extract lead. They reported the matter to the police and local administration, who requested video evidence. Subsequently, an individual posing as a journalist contacted one of the activists, inviting him to the factory. While en route, the group was ambushed near Goailbari Bazar by assailants armed with local weapons. Police arrived promptly and rescued the injured.

One of the injured, Hridoy Hasan, alleged that during the attack, the assailants contacted Asadul Islam Mukul, a central committee member of the NCP. Mukul reportedly told the attackers that the victims were not affiliated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and that he would address the matter after the assault.

Rifat Ahmed stated that they had advised the factory operators to cease operations without official approval. However, upon returning to the area later, they found the factory still operational. The factory personnel claimed they had paid Mukul and questioned the activists' interference.

In response, Asadul Islam Mukul denied any involvement, stating that he had received a call late at night about coordinators attacking the factory. He claimed to have clarified that none of their members were involved. Mukul also refuted allegations of accepting money from the factory, asserting no connection to its operations.

Ashulia Police Station's Officer-in-Charge, Muhammad Sohrab Al Hossain, confirmed that the injured were rescued from the scene. As of 5:30 pm on Thursday, no formal complaint had been filed. He assured that appropriate legal action would be taken upon receiving a complaint.