Two planned roadside rallies of the National Citizen Party (NCP) were foiled in Cox’s Bazar today following controversial remarks by the party’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, aimed at BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.
NCP leaders were scheduled to hold rallies in Chakaria and Eidgaon upazilas.
However, both events were eventually abandoned upon obstruction from BNP supporters, with the stage for the Chakaria rally reportedly vandalised.
Earlier in the day, the NCP held a gathering at Shaheed Daulat Maidan of Cox’s Bazar Public Library.
Addressing the event, Nasiruddin Patwary said, “Once under the Awami League, Narayanganj had a famous godfather: Shamim Osman. Now we hear of a new godfather in Cox’s Bazar from Shillong. He’s grabbing land and extorting people.”
Hinting at Salahuddin’s unexplained years-long stay in Shillong, Patwary said, “He doesn’t even understand what reform is.”
BNP policymaker Salahuddin Ahmed had survived the previous Awami League regime’s attempt to disappear him in 2015. He was later found on the other side of the border and spent about nine years in India before making it back to Bangladesh only after the fall of Awami League.
This influential BNP leader is a favourite son of Cox’s Bazar where he wields huge influence and has a strong following. Salahuddin has been representing his party at the consensus discussions for reforms.
Hinting at Salahuddin Ahmed, Patwari said, “The people of Cox’s Bazar will resist these so-called reform-opposers who don’t understand public relations.”
Soon after, BNP and its affiliated organisations launched protests in several parts of the district.
Following the event in the town, the NCP motorcade skipped the Eidgaon rally, citing resistance from BNP supporters.
In Chakaria, the NCP had arranged a truck-mounted stage near Janata Shopping Centre, where central leaders were scheduled to speak around 5:00pm.
However, around 3:45pm, BNP and Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) activists reportedly dismantled the stage.
Law enforcement officials, including army and police personnel, later dispersed the crowd.
Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam said the situation was brought under control and that traffic on the highway remained normal.
Meanwhile, in Cox’s Bazar town, Chhatra Dal activists tore down NCP banners and set fire to posters. They later held a protest march and rally.
Speaking at the demonstration, Chhatra Dal leader Fahimur Rahman said, “Salahuddin Ahmed is a pride of Bangladesh, and Nasiruddin Patwary has made indecent remarks about him.”
“Nasiruddin lacks proper family and social education, that’s why he speaks like this,” he added.
