NCP Holds Overnight Protest Demanding Home Adviser’s Resignation

The National Citizen Party (NCP) organised a protest march in the capital demanding the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser. The programme was held in protest against the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The protest march began on Friday (12 December) after 8:30 pm from in front of Rupayan Trade Centre at Banglamotor in the capital and concluded with a protest rally at Shahbagh after marching through several roads.

Leaders and activists of the NCP who took part in the protest march strongly condemned the attack and held the current Home Affairs Adviser responsible for the incident. They alleged that the deteriorating law and order situation in the country was the main reason such attacks were taking place openly. According to them, the failure of the Home Affairs Adviser to control the law and order situation has encouraged criminals and hostile groups to carry out violent acts without fear. Throughout the march, protesters chanted various slogans demanding the immediate resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser.

Speaking at the programme, Tariqul Islam, convener of the NCP’s youth wing National Youth Power, said that they were demanding the resignation of an incompetent and failed Home Affairs Adviser. In his words, the adviser must step down immediately and withdraw from his responsibilities. He stated that there was no scope to evade responsibility by making sweet and misleading statements. Tariqul Islam further said that after failing to discharge his duties, the adviser must explain to the people on what qualifications and moral grounds he was still holding the post of Home Affairs Adviser.

Senior joint convener of the NCP, Ariful Islam Adib, said in his address that accomplices and supporters of the Awami League were still active within the country’s administration, media, business sector and universities. He alleged that these groups were deliberately creating an environment conducive to the killing of leaders like Hadi. Ariful Islam Adib added that if any such attempt at killing takes place in the future, the properties of Awami League leaders and activists must be nationally confiscated.

NCP joint member secretary Arif Sohel said that the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi clearly proved that enemies of July, enemies of reform and enemies of justice were still active in Bangladesh. He alleged that efforts were underway once again to create a One-Eleven type situation in the country. In this context, he called upon all anti-hegemonic forces to remain united and vigilant.

The protest march and rally were also attended by NCP joint chief coordinator Khan Muhammad Mursalin, president of National Student Power Zahid Ahsan, member secretary of National Youth Power Dr Zahidul Islam, member secretary of National Labour Power Rijaz Morshed, along with leaders and activists from various levels of the party. All of them reiterated their united stance in demanding proper justice for the attack and the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser.