Published: 12:21 AM, 22 September 2026
BNP, AL activists clash in New York over Tarique Rahman's arrival
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and banned outfit Awami League (AL) have clashed in New York ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's arrival in the United States, prompting police forces to get into action to control violence.
The confrontation took place at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights on Sunday evening (local time) as supporters of both parties gathered in connection with the prime minister's visit.
More than 50 riot police officers moved in to bring the situation under control.
BNP supporters had converged on Diversity Plaza to mark the arrival of Tarique Rahman, who is heading to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Awami League supporters gathered nearby and responded with slogans of their own.
At one point, pushing and shoving broke out between the two groups as they exchanged verbal abuse.
Awami League supporters also tore down several banners welcoming Tarique Rahman.
Police intervened amid the tensions, separating the two groups and positioning officers between them.
BNP leader Golam Faruk Shaheen said hundreds of party supporters planned to gather at John F Kennedy International Airport to welcome Tarique Rahman.
Before the confrontation, supporters of the two parties had been trading slogans in the Bangladeshi-dominated neighbourhood.
"Tarique Rahman is coming, the streets are shaking," BNP loyalists chanted, alongside slogans welcoming the prime minister to New York.
Selim Uddin, a Noakhali expatriate who joined the gathering, reporters "The Prime Minister is coming to New York and we are ready to welcome him."
Members of the BNP's New York City unit and its affiliated organizations, the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha and the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, gathered separately to mark Tarique's arrival in the United States.
A Sramik Dal leader said members of the organization also planned to gather outside John F Kennedy International Airport to welcome the prime minister when he arrived.
A group of Awami League supporters also gathered in Jackson Heights and began chanting slogans of their own.
"What we need now is an Awami League government," they chanted, along with: "The government of development is Sheikh Hasina's government."
The Awami League's activities are now banned in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina's government was toppled in the July 2024 mass uprising.
Banners and festoons welcoming Tarique were also displayed around Jackson Heights.
The Prime Minister set off for New York on Monday morning, Bangladesh time.
He is due to arrive at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York on Monday.
