23 NCP leaders attacked in 11 months, Patwari targeted most

Following the political changeover after the 2024 mass uprising, many hoped that the culture of street-level political violence and attacks on opponents would come to an end. However, reality seems to be sending a different message. Even after the political transition, attacks and fear continue to persist. The very young leaders who fought on the streets and inspired dreams of change are now worried about their own safety. They are being intimidated through ambushes, being stopped and beaten on the road, weapon assaults, machete attacks, and arson at their homes. Concern is steadily growing over the consecutive attacks on leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP).

The machete attack on Hasib Al Islam—one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and president of the Dhaka University unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti—in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar on November 10, followed by the arson attack the next night on November 11 at the ancestral home of Nusrat Tabassum, a Member of Parliament from a reserved women's seat and Joint Convener of the NCP, in Kushtia, have further heightened this anxiety.

These incidents over two consecutive days have once again brought the question of security for leaders and activists of the NCP and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to the forefront.

23 Leaders Attacked in 11 Months

A review of available information shows that at least 23 NCP leaders at various levels, including central figures, have been attacked over the past 11 months. These incidents have taken place across different parts of the country, ranging from the capital Dhaka to Rajshahi, Chattogram, Narayanganj, Jhenaidah, and Noakhali.

The victims include central leaders of the party, local organizers, and accompanying activists and supporters. The NCP has blamed Awami League leaders and activists for these attacks.

The party alleges that these assaults are being carried out in a planned manner to intimidate political rivals and obstruct their organizational activities. However, statements from the accused parties need to be included if available. Police Headquarters has stated that necessary security and legal measures are being taken considering the risks faced by NCP leaders.

Hasib Attacked After Being Labeled a 'July Militant'

On the afternoon of November 10, Hasib Al Islam was inside an auto-rickshaw in front of Balishira Resort in the Radhanagar area of Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. At that time, a young man blocked his path and began recording a video on his mobile phone. At one point, he was labeled a "July militant" and attacked with machetes and local weapons, leaving him injured on his left hand. Once a video of the incident spread on social media, it sparked widespread discussion.

In connection with the incident, NCP Central Joint Convener Pritam Das filed a case as the plaintiff at Sreemangal Police Station. Former leader of the banned Chhatra League, Habibur Rahman, along with 15 unidentified individuals, were named as accused in the case.

Police say efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved in the attack.

Arson at Nusrat's Home Just Three Hours After Threats

Before the shock of this incident had even subsided, miscreants set fire to the village home of NCP Joint Convener and MP Nusrat Tabassum in Daulatpur, Kushtia on the night of November 11. These back-to-back incidents over two days have created fresh anxiety among the party's leaders and activists.

Speaking to journalists at her residence regarding the matter, the MP from the reserved women's seat said that threats were made on Facebook three hours prior to the attack, and she had also received death threats multiple times before.

Nusrat said, "The attack on my village home was a planned incident. On the night of October 28, a threat came from a spam number. Before and after that, I received several more threatening calls."

The MP continued to receive threats even after filing a General Diary (GD). "Last Tuesday, I filed a General Diary (GD) at Kalabagan Police Station in Dhaka describing the entire incident. Even after that GD, several more threats arrived."
Attempt to Harass Nahid in the UK as Well

Most recently, on Saturday, a group of activists and supporters of the Awami League, whose activities are banned, attempted to harass NCP Convener Nahid Islam on the campus of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. However, due to the prompt intervention of leaders and activists from the UK branch of the NCP, their attempt to harass Nahid was unsuccessful.

Nahid Islam is currently in the UK on a week-long visit. On Saturday evening local time, the Chief Whip of the Opposition went to the Main Lecture Theatre of the Old Divinity School at St John's College, University of Cambridge, to attend a discussion event organized by the Cambridge University Bangla Society.

After the event, as Nahid Islam was about to get into a car to leave the venue, he was confronted by a group of Awami League supporters who had gathered there beforehand. Md. M. A. Himel, the immediate past member secretary of the NCP UK Alliance, was present at the scene at the time.

Around midnight Saturday Bangladesh time, this NCP leader posted a video of the harassment attempt on his verified Facebook account.

The video shows several UK-based expatriate supporters of the NCP helping Nahid Islam get into a car, while another group of NCP supporters is seen arguing with several Awami League supporters in front of the vehicle. Amid this situation, the car carrying Nahid left the scene.

According to data from the police and human rights organizations, apart from Tabassum, others who came under attack include Hasnat Abdullah and Moin Uddin Mahin in Chandanaish, Chattogram on January 16; Hossain Ahmed in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah on January 20; NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari in Dhaka on January 23 and 27; Sarjis Alam on February 13; Md. Ibrahim in Mohammadpur on February 23; and the motorcade of Abdul Hannan Masud in Hatiya, Noakhali on February 25. Further attacks took place against Raisul Islam and Sagar Mallik in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj on March 11; Nasiruddin Patwari and Tarekul Islam Tarek Reza in Jhenaidah on May 22; Patwari's motorcade in Benapole on June 3; Mahadi Hasan at the Habiganj Deputy Commissioner's office on June 11; Mushfiqur Rahman in Khaliajuri, Netrokona on July 18; Sohag Mia Pritam in Netrokona Sadar on the night of July 24; leaders including Sarjis Alam and Mahmuda Mitu in Golapganj, Sylhet on July 28; Samir Hossain in Hatpukuria, Chatkhil, Noakhali on August 9; Touhidul Islam at Baktabali Bazar in Fatullah, Narayanganj on September 29; and three people including Nasiruddin Patwari at Lalon's Akhra in Akhrabari, Kumarkhali, Kushtia on October 4. In this manner, 23 central and local leaders were attacked across the country from last January to November 11.

Additionally, according to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 179 people were injured in 23 clashes between the NCP and the BNP from January to October, while 8 people were injured in two clashes between the Awami League and the NCP.

Patwari Targeted the Most

According to NCP sources, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari has been targeted the most. Most recently, on the evening of October 4, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari was attacked in the Lalon Shah Mazar area of Kushtia. He came under attack while leaving Lalon's shrine. While he was taking photos with some Lalon devotees, someone threw an egg at him, and he remained besieged for about 30 minutes.

Although a case was filed at Kumarkhali Police Station in Kushtia regarding the incident, no one has been arrested yet, according to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the station, Jamal Uddin. "The accused are absconding. They cannot be traced," the OC added.

Earlier, on May 22, following Friday prayers, Nasiruddin Patwari and his party leaders and activists were attacked on the premises of the Jhenaidah Municipal Collectorate Jame Mosque (old DC court area). Furthermore, around the evening of July 28, he was also attacked in the Staff Quarter, Sonali Bank, and Circuit House areas of Habiganj town.

However, police state that the nature and context of these incidents are not all the same. Some are alleged to have stemmed from political disputes, while others arose from local conflicts or personal grudges.

Nevertheless, the consecutive attacks on political and student leaders in various places are raising concerns about their safety and political tolerance. Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton believes that the attack on Hasib and the arson at Nusrat Tabassum's house have brought these concerns to the forefront once again.

He said that if the young people who led the July mass uprising in particular have to face attacks and threats in different parts of the country, serious questions remain about the actual state of citizen security following the political transition.
'Fallen Fascist Forces Targeting Stakeholders of the July Revolution'

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has blamed the Awami League for these attacks. He said, "The fallen fascist forces are targeting the leadership and stakeholders of the July revolution. When a city burns, even the temples are not spared. Today it is me, tomorrow it will be you, and the day after someone else—everyone will be attacked one by one."

"The fascist Awami League is not a homegrown force. Under the shelter, indulgence, and instigation of Delhi, anti-July forces are tearing Bangladesh apart. After carrying out sabotage inside the country, they are crossing the border and taking shelter on the other side."

"I no longer hope that the government and the administration will be able to provide any security to the people. We have to choose our own path. Inshallah, we will confront the anti-Bangladesh forces. We will do it unitedly, and we will do it democratically," added the Chief Whip of the Opposition.

When contacted to inquire about the steps being taken regarding these attacks, AIG (Media and Public Relations) of Police Headquarters, Kamarum Munira, provided a response.

She said that the police are taking the security of those who led the July movement seriously. Whenever complaints or information regarding this are received, necessary security and legal measures are being taken after assessing the risks.