Online Desk 

Tensions flared in London on Monday over a pre-scheduled event attended by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah. The meeting, organised by the NCP UK Alliance, took place at Maeda Grill Restaurant adjacent to the East London Mosque, where Abdullah appeared as the chief guest.

Supporters and activists of the UK Awami League gathered outside the venue to stage a protest. As the afternoon progressed, the number of people from both sides increased, heightening tensions in the area. At one stage, eggs were reportedly thrown toward NCP supporters. In response, police deployed more than a hundred officers to maintain order and prevent further escalation.

Due to the unrest, Hasnat Abdullah entered the venue nearly three hours behind schedule under tight security. After delivering his speech, he left the premises under police protection.

During the protest, police detained at least three individuals. Witnesses claimed that one of those taken into custody was Afsar Khan Sadeq, Joint General Secretary of the London Metropolitan Awami League. However, authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the nature of the legal action taken against those detained.

Earlier in the day, another incident of tension was reported at Elm Park in the Romford area of East London. Video footage circulating on social media appeared to show several individuals following Hasnat Abdullah and members of his entourage while making remarks toward them. At one point, Abdullah reportedly took shelter in a nearby restaurant. Eggs were also allegedly thrown at some of the people accompanying him.

The situation further deteriorated when a verbal altercation broke out between NCP Central Joint Convener Ehteshamul Haque and UK Awami League Office Secretary Shah Shamim. The exchange later escalated into a physical confrontation before bystanders intervened to calm the situation.

In a statement, the NCP UK Alliance accused a section of Awami League supporters of deliberately attempting to disrupt the programme through disorderly and provocative behaviour. The organisation described the incident as a manifestation of political intolerance.

On the other hand, UK Awami League Joint General Secretary and former Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, denied that the party had officially organised any protest programme. According to him, some students and young people may have reacted spontaneously in protest over the demolition of the house at Dhanmondi 32.

The incidents have once again highlighted the extent to which Bangladesh's domestic political divisions continue to resonate within expatriate communities abroad, occasionally spilling over into public confrontations.