Police Break Up JaPa Rally With Water Cannons in Dhaka

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a Jatiya Party (JaPa) rally outside the party’s central office in Kakrail, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the event.

The rally, which was scheduled to start at 3:00pm, had been organised to demand the withdrawal of cases against party chairman GM Quader and other senior leaders, the release of detained activists, and an end to mob attacks targeting party members.

Witnesses said hundreds of JaPa supporters began gathering in front of the party office from early afternoon, carrying placards and chanting slogans. However, the crowd soon spilled onto the road, obstructing traffic on one of Dhaka’s busiest routes.

At around 3:45pm, police asked the demonstrators to clear the area, saying the party had not obtained prior permission for the rally. When they refused to disperse, law enforcers used water cannons and tear gas shells to break up the protest.

“The gathering blocked the road without prior permission. The deputy commissioner repeatedly requested them to move, but they refused,” said Shah Mustafa Tarikuzzaman, Assistant Commissioner of the DMP’s Ramna Division.

He said police took action to restore order and cleared the area by around 4:30pm, adding that the situation was now “under full control.”

Following the confrontation, the main gate of the JaPa office was locked, while a strong police presence remained outside to prevent further unrest. No immediate reports of injuries or arrests were available.

The Kakrail area, home to JaPa’s central headquarters, has been tense in recent months due to repeated clashes and internal disputes within the party. The office was vandalised and set on fire on September 6, just days after an earlier attack on August 30, which left several injured.

Party insiders said Saturday’s rally was meant to demonstrate unity and demand justice, but the sudden police action left supporters frustrated.

Political observers noted that the repeated unrest reflects growing factional tension within JaPa and its struggle to maintain organisational discipline ahead of future political movements.

By late afternoon, traffic in Kakrail had resumed, though the atmosphere remained uneasy as police continued to patrol the area to avert any further disturbances.