“A situation was created that enabled the attack on Akhter Hossain. If Dr Yunus only focuses on his personal protection, the NCP will not consider him safe in any important matters in the future of Bangladesh,” he says
NCP Chief Organiser (northern region) Sarjis Alam. File Photo: BSS
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NCP Chief Organiser (northern region) Sarjis Alam. File Photo: BSS
Highlights
- NCP says no party can defy people’s will; BNP must learn from Awami League
- Rally demands justice for attack on NCP’s Akhter Hossen in New York
- 48-hour ultimatum to cancel attackers’ passports; nationwide protest threatened
- NCP rejects Fakhrul’s comments on Awami League and Jatiyo Party in elections
The BNP, other political parties, as well as the Election Commission, would have to understand that no party can come to power against the will and aspirations of the people, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam has said.
“BNP and Mirza Fakhrul [senior party leader] must learn from the Awami League. Every political party must take a lesson,” he said during a protest rally organised by the NCP in front of the National Museum in the capital’s Shahbagh this evening (23 September).
The rally demanded accountability for the attack on the party’s member secretary Akhter Hossen in New York and criticised the interim government’s inaction, while calling for justice against the Awami League.
“A situation was created that enabled the attack on Akhter Hossain. If Dr Yunus only focuses on his personal protection, the NCP will not consider him safe in any important matters in the future of Bangladesh,” the NCP leader said.
About the recent interview of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with the Indian media, Sarjis said, “We do not endorse such indirect remarks.”
He was referring to yesterday’s interview with Ei Samay where Fakhrul said, “The Awami League and Jatiyo Party should take part in the upcoming national election. Let there be a fair and free election.”
In this regard, Sarjis said, “We want to know if they [BNP] intend to betray public trust again, negotiate with India, please them, align with Awami League, or negotiate with the Jatiya Party to return to power in the new Bangladesh.”
Attack on Akhter: NCP demands perpetrators’ passports be cancelled within 48hrs
NCP leaders in Chattogram have given a 48-hour ultimatum to identify and cancel the passports of those who attacked the party’s Member Secretary Akhter Hossen at New York airport.
During a protest march and human chain, organised by the party and its affiliates this afternoon, in front of Chattogram Press Club, they warned that if action is not taken, they will launch a nationwide movement.
Tamjid Hasan, member of Chattogram Metropolitan Jatiya Jubo Shakti, youth wing of NCP, said, “Several political parties have tried to restore Awami League’s power, emboldening the party to attack revolutionaries openly. Resistance will be built wherever Awami fascists are found.”
Joint Convener Arif Moinuddin said, “Attacking the leader of a mass uprising is an insult to the martyrs. We will mobilise the people and build resistance. The passports of the attackers must be cancelled within 48 hours, or we will take to the streets with public support.”
Yesterday (22 September), eggs were thrown at NCP leader Akhter Hossen while he was leaving New York’s JFK Airport.
In the US as part of a Bangladesh delegation for the United Nations General Assembly, at the chief adviser’s invitation, NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, as well as leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were also there.
Several eyewitnesses said the act had been carried out by leaders and activists of the Awami League, a party banned in Bangladesh.