Dhaka, August 30 (V7N) – Nurul Haque Nur, the President of Gono Odhikar Parishad and a prominent political figure in Bangladesh, has been hospitalized in critical condition following a violent clash in the Kakrail area of the capital on Friday evening. Doctors have confirmed that Nur has suffered a brain hemorrhage and is currently under intensive care.

According to statements made early Saturday morning by Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Nurul Haque Nur was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after sustaining a severe head injury during the unrest. Quoting doctors, they said Nur has suffered intracranial bleeding and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) shortly after his condition deteriorated.

"We were informed by the doctors that there is bleeding in his brain. He has been shifted to the ICU and his survival is uncertain," said Rashed Khan while speaking to reporters around 1:00 AM on Saturday. He further alleged that if anything happens to Nur, responsibility must be taken by the Chief of Army Staff and Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Rashed demanded that within 24 hours, the Chief of Army Staff, Home Affairs Adviser, and Chief Adviser clarify their stance on the incident. He warned that if the attackers are not identified and held accountable within this timeframe, the group will launch a protest to blockade the Jamuna area.

He further called for immediate action against members of the police and military who were allegedly involved in the assault. Rashed also demanded the resignation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju added that a medical board has been formed to oversee Nur’s treatment and evaluate his condition. He announced that an all-party meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, likely at the office of Gono Odhikar Parishad, to discuss the situation and coordinate a collective response.

The violent events began on Friday evening near the central office of the Jatiya Party in Kakrail. A confrontation erupted between activists of the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad, escalating into a physical clash and mutual chases. Later, around 8:15 PM, a second round of violence broke out in the same area between members of Gono Odhikar Parishad and law enforcement agencies.

During the clash, Nurul Haque Nur and several other activists sustained injuries. Witnesses reported scenes of intense street violence, including stone-throwing and fires being set on the road. Nur was eventually found bloodied and unconscious before being rushed to the hospital by fellow party members.

In response to the deteriorating situation, a large contingent of security forces including army personnel and police were deployed to the scene to regain control. The confrontation reportedly continued until around 9:00 PM, during which protesters hurled bricks and ignited fires in the streets outside the Jatiya Party headquarters.

The cause of the clashes remains under investigation, and no official statement has yet been released by the government or law enforcement agencies regarding the specific circumstances that led to the violence.

Background:
Nurul Haque Nur rose to prominence during the student-led protests for quota reform in Bangladesh and later became a vocal opposition figure, known for his criticism of the ruling establishment. The Gono Odhikar Parishad, under his leadership, has positioned itself as a grassroots political movement advocating for democratic reforms and justice.

Status update:
As of the latest reports, Nur remains under close medical supervision in the ICU. Further updates on his condition and the political response are expected following Saturday’s scheduled all-party meeting.

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