National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam on Thursday urged the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to take immediate steps to control its student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), warning that the organisation was gradually moving towards becoming a “terrorist group”.
“If BNP does not want to repeat the authoritarian practices of the past, it must rein in Chhatra Dal,” Sarjis said while talking to reporters after meeting families of seven martyrs of the July uprising at Golapganj in Sylhet.
He also called upon BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to take action against what he described as the “violent activities” of JCD.
“If you cannot control Chhatra Dal, then declare that you want to use the student organisation as a force of musclemen,” he said.
Recalling a previous remark of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Sarjis said, “She had said that Chhatra Dal needs students, not street criminals. BNP and the country will both benefit if this message is kept in mind.”
Sarjis said protests would continue, adding that the style and language of protest may vary from person to person.
“The people will decide whose statements are acceptable. If anyone disagrees, they have the right to express their views from their own position,” he said.
The NCP leader also criticised the role of the Sylhet administration, alleging that it was not acting neutrally.
He claimed that the administration was making decisions based on the interests of elected representatives and the government rather than maintaining professionalism.
“Recently, when NCP Convener Hasnat Abdullah and other leaders went to a police outpost to file a case, they were obstructed,” Sarjis alleged.
He said a five-member NCP delegation was prevented from filing the complaint, while JCD activists allegedly chanted provocative slogans without facing any action.
Addressing law enforcement officials, Sarjis said, “Do not sell your professionalism. If you want to do politics, remove the police uniform and join politics directly.”
Earlier, a discussion meeting with families of seven July uprising martyrs was held at Golapganj Municipality Auditorium. NCP Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin attended the programme as a special guest.
At the event, respect was paid to those killed during the July uprising. Family members of the victims shared their memories, current challenges and expectations from the state. NCP leaders expressed solidarity with them.
Samanta Sharmin said the martyrs had made the ultimate sacrifice for the country and standing beside their families was both a political and moral responsibility.
She said justice, accountability and people’s rights must be ensured to build the Bangladesh envisioned by the martyrs.
Meanwhile, allegations surfaced that an NCP convoy came under attack while returning from the programme.
According to the allegations, a group of people targeted the convoy after it left Golapganj, creating panic among party activists. Another attack and vandalism were allegedly carried out near Panchmile area. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Golapganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Shabed Ali said police were trying to identify those involved and operations were underway.