NCP Leader’s Police Remarks Spark Controversy

National Citizen Party (NCP) Central Executive Committee member Jobairul Alam has come under widespread criticism after stating that police officers had been “beaten until they were bloodied” during the July movement. His remarks, delivered at a public rally in Chattogram, quickly drew attention after a video of the speech circulated widely on social media.

The comments were made on Wednesday (5 August) during a public gathering organised by the 11-party alliance at the Chatari Chowmuhani Tunnel intersection in Anwara Upazila of Chattogram. The rally marked the second anniversary of the July mass uprising and called for the implementation of the people’s mandate, alongside demands for democracy, justice, good governance and the protection of citizens’ rights.

While criticising what he described as partisan practices within the local administration, Jobairul Alam referred to the unrest that unfolded during the July movement. Addressing the audience, he said, “Didn’t you witness the 36th of July? Didn’t you see how angry students and members of the public set police stations on fire? Didn’t you see how we beat those police officers, who are paid with taxpayers’ money, until they were bloodied?”

A video lasting approximately three minutes and 54 seconds was later shared extensively across social media platforms. Jobairul Alam also posted the footage on his own Facebook account. The specific section containing his remarks soon became the subject of intense public debate and political discussion.

In the same speech, he questioned local officials, saying, “We want to ask the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Officer-in-Charge whether they did not witness the 36th of July.” He alleged that the administration had failed to remain politically neutral during the July uprising.

Turning to the current situation, the NCP leader accused the Anwara Upazila administration and local police of continuing to operate under political influence. He claimed that partisan favouritism remained entrenched within the administration and alleged that administrative files did not move without instructions from the area’s Member of Parliament.

He also issued a warning to government officials, saying that if they attempted to become aligned with the Awami League in the same manner as before, his party would resist them. He declared that just as they would not allow the Awami League to return to state power, they would not permit anyone else to “become the Awami League”.

The meeting was chaired by Abdul Gani, President of Anwara Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, while the event was conducted by the organisation’s Upazila Secretary, Mohammad Abul Hasan. Leaders and activists representing the 11-party alliance also attended the gathering.

After the speech generated widespread criticism online, Jobairul Alam argued that the viral video did not contain the full context of his remarks. According to him, his comments had been presented in isolation.

Responding to the controversy, he said his intention had not been to encourage further confrontation with law enforcement or public authorities. Instead, he maintained that he had been referring to the tense circumstances that existed during the July movement and stressing the importance of preventing a similar situation from developing again.

“We do not want public anger to intensify,” he said. “We do not want another confrontation between the administration and the people like the one witnessed during the July movement. That was the message I intended to convey. We want to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination.”

When contacted for comment, Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Junayet Chowdhury declined to engage with the substance of the speech. He said the remarks were made publicly by the speaker and added that he had no further comment on the matter at this stage.

The incident has since fuelled debate across political circles and social media, with critics focusing on the language used in the speech, while Jobairul Alam continues to insist that his remarks have been taken out of context through the circulation of only part of his address.