At least 54 individuals have been arrested in connection with an attack on the vehicle of Hasnat Abdullah, a senior organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), in Gazipur on Sunday evening.

According to police and eyewitnesses, Abdullah, who is also affiliated with the anti-discrimination student movement, was en route to Dhaka from Gazipur when his convoy came under attack around 7:00 pm in the Chandana Chowrasta area.

A group of assailants, reportedly riding 10 to 12 motorcycles, intercepted and vandalised his vehicle, smashing its windows. 

Abdullah sustained a hand injury in the attack but managed to flee the scene and took shelter near the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in the Board Bazar area.

As news of the incident spread, hundreds of supporters and students from the anti-discrimination movement gathered at the scene. Police arrived shortly thereafter and escorted Abdullah safely to Dhaka.

In response, demonstrators staged a protest procession in Chandana Chowrasta late Sunday night. 

Gazipur Metropolitan Police launched overnight raids in several areas, resulting in the detention of 54 suspects by Monday morning.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Rabiul Islam confirmed the arrests and stated that further investigations are ongoing to identify those directly involved.

Deputy Commissioner (Crime/North) Md Rabiul Hasan said the attack occurred while Abdullah was travelling along the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway. 

He confirmed that motorbike-riding attackers targeted the politician’s vehicle near the Chandana intersection.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but authorities have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

SMS/