Police block NCP leaders’ convoy on way to Habiganj

Police have blocked the convoy of central leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) from entering Habiganj after Section 144 was imposed.

The convoy includes NCP Chief Organizer for the South and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer for the North Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and several other leaders.

Police stopped the convoy at the Satgaon entry point to Habiganj from Moulvibazar at around 4:45 pm Wednesday. An argument is ongoing between police and NCP leaders at the scene. At the same time, leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal gathered around their party offices. Tension has gripped the municipal area over the rival programs. Police have been deployed at least 25 key locations across the town.

At 4 pm Wednesday, Habiganj district NCP Member Secretary Mahbubul Bari Chowdhury Mubin told Agamir Somoy that the party’s central leaders were scheduled to enter Habiganj shortly to hold a protest rally against the attack. However, police blocked them on the way.

On the other hand, a top Chhatra Dal leader said no protest program was being observed because of Section 144. However, party leaders and activists were staying around their party offices.

As tensions escalated over the rival programs, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr. G. M. Sarfaraz imposed Section 144 across Habiganj municipality until further notice. Since Wednesday morning, more than 100 police personnel have been seen on duty at various key locations, including Town Hall, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Sadar Model Police Station, the court area, Town Hall Road, Chowdhury Bazar, Kalibari Road, Rajnagar and Shayestaganj.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, the convoy carrying central NCP leaders came under attack while returning to the Circuit House after a street rally in front of the Town Hall. Following the attack, Nasiruddin Patwary, Sarjis Alam and other leaders took shelter at the Habiganj Main Branch of Sonali Bank. Police, led by Superintendent of Police Tarek Mahmud, later rescued them and escorted them to the Circuit House. Police also fired a sound grenade to bring the situation under control.

Blaming Chhatra Dal activists for the attack, Sarjis Alam claimed that one activist lost an eye in the attack, Habiganj district NCP leader Mubin suffered a broken arm and he himself sustained an injury to one of his fingers.

Following the attack, the NCP revised its previously announced schedule, suspended two marches in Moulvibazar on Wednesday and announced a protest program in Habiganj instead. Central leaders scheduled to attend the program include Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Dr. Atik Mujahid and Sarwar Tushar. During this time, Sarjis Alam made strong remarks targeting Tarique Rahman.

Meanwhile, alleging ‘spreading falsehoods’ about Tarique Rahman, the district units of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and municipal BNP announced a protest. District Chhatra Dal President Shah Rajib Ahmed Ringon, District Jubo Dal Convener Jalal Ahmed and Member Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Situ announced the program on social media. The municipal BNP also announced a similar program. At the same time, several leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations were also seen making various posts on social media.

Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer in Charge Zahidur Rahman said, “Police are on alert. Necessary measures have been taken to avoid any untoward situation.”