Health advisor Nurjahan Begum was forced to leave the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) while visiting victims of the July mass riot amid outrage.

She was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cook.

The incident occurred today (November 13) at NITOR in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar when the health adviser and British diplomat arrived to check on people still undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the July protests.

Witnesses said the situation turned tense after a member of Nurjahan Begum’s protocol allegedly pushed one of the patients, sparking the victims’ discontent.

Some of the protesters raised further grievances, criticizing delays in funds from the Smriti Foundation since July, which many had relied on for medical and other assistance.

As tensions escalated, both the health advisor and High Commissioner Cook attempted to leave the hospital premises. However, the injured patients and their supporters surrounded their vehicle, blocking their departure.

With the help of hospital staff and doctors, Nurjahan Begum and Sarah Cook were eventually able to leave the premises.