Facing backlash, Chattogram police exclude BNP’s Showkat Azam from 330-strong blacklist

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has amended its list of 330 “miscreants” late in the night, removing BNP leader Showkat Azam Khaja’s name nearly eight hours after issuing the original notice.

The CMP issued the amendment at around 12:30am on Sunday, sharing a revised first page of the alleged miscreants list via the press WhatsApp group, omitting the name of Showkat, joint convenor of Chattogram city BNP.

The original list, released Saturday afternoon, barred 330 individuals from entering or staying in the city.

It included Awami League figures, former ministers, MPs, and ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Showkat had been listed at number four.

Responding after the initial release, Showkat said the listing was “embarrassing”. He noted that the names of 12 other BNP figures -- including members of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal -- remained unchanged.

Showkat said, “I don’t understand why my name was included. Our leaders will meet the commissioner tomorrow to learn the criteria behind this list. We will see what they say.”

No other BNP members, youth or student leaders, were removed, and even the late councillor Ataullah Chowdhury name remains on the list.