NCP leaders harassed by police for the first time since July Revolution
In a Nutshell:
- Police used trucks and barricades to halt the NCP convoy in Sreemangal at around 4:30pm as it moved from Moulvibazar toward Habiganj.
- The delegation included Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Nasiruddin Patwary and Dr Mahmuda Mitu.
- Videos show police attacking party leaders at the barricade despite Nasiruddin Patwary's yells to stop putting their hands on members. Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, member secretary of NCP's women wing, Jatiya Nari Shakthi, was also attacked with police shoving against her in a crowd of people.
- On video, some members could be heard alleging that police took one person into the inner crowd to beat up separately.
- During the sit-in, Nasiruddin Patwary alleged that NCP members were surrounded by a thousand Chatra Dal activists carrying sticks and local weapons
Why it Matters
The police said they were trying to prevent clashes between NCP and Chatra Dal, but the situation raises questions about how that goal was enforced. Videos from the scene showed heated exchanges before police and NCP members clashed, with NCP alleging that officers pushed members, including female activists, while Chatra Dal supporters remained nearby, openly threatening them with sticks and weapons. After the incident, Nasiruddin Patwary wrote on Facebook that “we came to the police station hoping for justice, but we are facing obstacles even here,” questioning whether NCP was being prevented from pursuing a case over the Habiganj attack.
What We Think
NCP’s allegations that police pushed their members while armed Chatra Dal supporters surrounded them need investigation, especially because the stated reason for stopping NCP was to avoid violence. In an interview with Channel 24 News, Patwary claimed that the ASP was planning an attack and could cause a murder at the sit-in. Though this claim remains unverified, this is nonetheless serious and reflects the level of distrust created by the confrontation. The key issue now is whether police action protected public order or violated democratic rights of NCP members who were seeking answers and action against their attackers after the Habiganj incident.
