A group identifying itself as “Towhidi Janata” forced the cancellation of a women’s football tournament in Dinajpur’s Hakimpur Upazila after clashing with the event’s organizing committee, resulting in at least 10 injuries.
The incident occurred on Tuesday around 3 p.m. at the Bawna temporary football ground in the Ali Hat Union of Hakimpur, according to Hakimpur UNO Amit Roy. Following the clash, the Upazila administration announced the suspension of the tournament.
The ‘Bawna Student Welfare Council’ had organized the women’s football event to celebrate Victory Day, with football fans purchasing tickets to watch the match, as reported by police and witnesses.
In the afternoon, the “Towhidi Janata” group marched to the ground, demanding the cancellation of the match. Tensions between the two sides escalated upon their arrival.
Hakimpur UNO Amit Roy, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Hakimpur-Ghoraghat Circle) ANM Niamat Ullah, Hakimpur Police Station Chief Md Sujan Mia, and Inspector (Investigation) Jahangir Alam, along with a police team, rushed to the scene to mediate. Despite their efforts, the two groups clashed, leaving at least 10 people injured.
Abdul Alim, a representative of the “Towhidi Janata” group, said, “We first submitted a memorandum to the Upazila administration, demanding the tournament’s suspension. The administration assured us the match would be halted. But on Tuesday, they announced through loudspeaker that the game would proceed, falsely claiming permission from the district commissioner.”
“When we arrived with our procession in the afternoon, police asked us to remain calm. However, the tournament organizers suddenly attacked us in the presence of the administration. Seven of our people, including Galib, Abdur Rahman, and Raihan, were injured and later hospitalized,” Alim added.
Rakibul Hasan, a member of the tournament’s organizing committee, questioned the calls to cancel the event. “Why should the women’s football tournament be stopped? These women have brought pride to the country by excelling abroad. They have reached the national level after progressing from the grassroots.”
“It’s shocking to see the administration seemingly supporting a group under the guise of religion to disrupt the game. Has the country turned into a Taliban state?” Rakibul asked.
UNO Amit Roy confirmed that police would take action against those involved in the clash.
