NCP defies stoppages, Section-144 to file police complaint in Habiganj

Defying police stoppages and a Section-144, the National Citizens Party (NCP) on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Habiganj Sadar Police Station over the attack on its leaders and activists in Habiganj.

The complaint was filed at the Kamaichada Police Camp in the presence of the Habiganj District Superintendent of Police, after overcoming four police barricades, sand trucks and vehicle barriers.

Police had earlier also stopped them from reaching the main town.

Earlier, their convoy -- carrying NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah and Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam -- was stopped in the Cha Kanya area of Sreemangal around 5:00pm after setting off from the Moulvibazar Circuit House around 4:30pm.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sreemangal Police Station Abdur Razzak said the NCP leaders were informed of the restrictions in Habiganj and were requested not to proceed there.

"Despite being informed, they attempted to continue their journey towards Habiganj. They were stopped due to the enforcement of Section 144 and to prevent any untoward incident," he had said.

NCP leaders and activists remained seated on the road and engaged in arguments with police.

Earlier, the Habiganj district administration imposed Section 144 across the municipal area after the NCP and BNP's associate bodies – Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal – announced separate protest rallies on the Town Hall premises at 3:00pm.

The restrictions came amid heightened tension following violence in the district on Tuesday evening.

The NCP alleged that its leaders Sarjis and Nasiruddin were attacked by local BNP leaders and activists while leaving the venue after addressing a programme marking the July mass uprising near the Court Mosque.

During the unrest, several central leaders, including Sarjis Alam and Nasiruddin Patwari, were reportedly confined inside a Sonali Bank branch before police and other law enforcement agencies escorted them to safety later that night. 

At least 20 NCP leaders and activists, including Sarjis Alam and district Member Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Mubin, were injured in the attacks, while several vehicles in the convoy were vandalised.

Police later escorted the two leaders to the Circuit House for security.

Sarjis blamed activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal for the attack.

Senior leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) afterwards headed to Habiganj setting the stage for a fresh political confrontation a day after the party's central leadership came under attack in the district.

In its order, signed by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr GM Sarfraz, the administration said both the NCP and local BNP and Chhatra Dal units had called programmes at the same place and time, creating a high risk of confrontation.

Citing fears of clashes, damage to property and deterioration of the law and order situation, the administration prohibited gatherings of five or more people, public meetings, processions, slogan chanting, picketing, the use of loudspeakers and other activities deemed likely to disrupt public order within the Habiganj municipal area. The restrictions took immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.