NCP undeterred by attacks and cases during July Marches

The National Citizen Party’s ‘July March’ program, announced to mark the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, has gone beyond political campaigning and has become the center of renewed political tension following a series of attacks, clashes, and counter cases. Incidents surrounding the program in several districts, including Habiganj and Sylhet, have placed the NCP and the BNP in direct confrontation. While both sides blame each other, the NCP claims the incidents are part of a planned effort to prevent the party’s organizational expansion. The BNP, on the other hand, alleges that provocative remarks by senior NCP leaders are the main cause of the violence.

Over the past several days, clashes related to the July March program have taken place in at least five districts, including Habiganj and Sylhet. In some incidents, NCP leaders and activists were injured, while in others, vehicles in the party’s convoy were allegedly attacked and vandalized. Following the incidents, both sides filed cases against each other.

The NCP does not consider these incidents isolated. Instead, the party describes them as preplanned political attacks. According to the party, leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations are deliberately carrying out attacks and creating obstacles to prevent the rise of a new political force. NCP leaders also claim that the BNP’s central leadership is backing these incidents. However, the party has made it clear that its program will not stop because of attacks and legal cases. Instead, its high command has decided to further strengthen organizational activities at the upazila and municipality levels.

On July 28, an attack took place during speeches at the NCP’s July March in front of the Habiganj Circuit House. The party’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organizer for the Northern Region Sarjis Alam, and at least 10 leaders and activists were injured. Alif Chowdhury, an activist of Chhatra Shakti and the NCP who was seriously injured in the attack, permanently lost the vision in his left eye. Doctors fear that his right eye is also at risk.

In protest of the attack, the NCP announced nationwide demonstrations the following day. However, the administration imposed Section 144 in Habiganj on July 29. Later that day, another clash broke out between NCP activists and leaders and activists of local BNP affiliated organizations after a march and rally in the district town. Sarjis Alam and several others were injured. The attackers also allegedly vandalized several vehicles.

Following the attack, Habiganj District Chhatra Shakti Convener Tanmoy Taher filed a case against 111 people, naming Habiganj District Chhatra Dal President Shah Rajib Ahmed as the principal accused. Later, Habiganj District Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Iqbal Hossain filed a counter case against 50 people, including Nasiruddin Patwari and Sarjis Alam, accusing them of attempted murder, vandalism, and robbery.