Case filed over explosion at NCP rally in Savar, 2 Jubo League leaders held

Police have detained two Jubo League leaders on suspicion of involvement in the explosion that occurred during a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, last night (6 July). 

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parvin said, "Two people have already been detained on suspicion of involvement in the incident. They will be produced before the court today."

The detainees have been identified as Md Nurul Islam, 52, son of the late Sultan Fakir of Purba Bhakum village under Singair upazila in Manikganj, and Md Sajib, 32, son of Abdul Jalil of the Anandapur area in Savar Municipality.

According to police, both men had been living in the Anandapur neighbourhood of Savar. Nurul Islam is a former president of the Joymontop Union unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra League in Singair upazila and a former general secretary of the local unit of the Bangladesh Awami Jubo League.

Police said Sajib is also a Jubo League activist.

A case was filed in the early hours today (7 July) at Savar Model Police Station by Md Salamat Ullah Rony, member secretary of Dhaka District North NCP.

According to the case statement, the rally was held at Tarapur Eidgah field yesterday as part of the NCP's pre-announced July March programme. The formal proceedings began after evening.

The statement said NCP Convenor Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhter Hossain and Chief Organiser (northern region) Sarjis Alam arrived at the venue at around 9:30pm.

It alleged that electricity to the venue was disconnected five to 10 minutes before the central leaders took the stage, leaving the area in darkness.

Although organisers later arranged limited lighting through a generator, visibility remained poor. Attempts to contact the electricity office were unsuccessful, and the programme continued.

According to the complaint, an explosion occurred at around 9:42pm, approximately 10 to 15 feet in front of the stage while leaders were delivering speeches. The blast reportedly filled the area with white smoke and caused panic among those present.

The statement said family members of those killed and injured during the July Uprising, journalists and NCP leaders were gathered near the site of the explosion.

Among those injured were Md Shahin Khandakar, 30, Md Jasim, 26, Md Shahadat Hossain, 40, DBC News cameraman Md Majnu, 45, and NPB News multimedia reporter Md Saiful Islam, 25, according to the complaint.

The case alleges that the explosion was carried out with the intention of killing NCP leaders and participants.

It also claims that the incident may have involved an organised banned group and was intended to disrupt the rally and cause loss of life and property damage.

"We want to ensure that no innocent person faces harassment in this case. Our expectation is that the police will identify the real culprits and bring them under the law," Rony said.

Confirming the filing of the case, Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Nur Mohammad said, "Drives are underway to arrest the criminals. Details will be informed later," he said.

UTF condemns explosion at NCP rally

The University Teachers' Forum (UTF) has condemned the explosion at NCP's rally and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

In a statement, UTF Convenor Professor Md Sirajul Islam and Member Secretary Shamim Hamidi described the incident as "abominable", expressed strong condemnation, and called for those involved to be brought to justice without delay

The statement noted that the NCP had launched its countrywide "July March-2026" programme, demanding the implementation of a referendum, employment generation and border protection.

The organisation also alleged that opponents of the July movement had resorted to such attacks in an attempt to intimidate participants and undermine the unity of the movemen.