NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has alleged that the law and order situation has deteriorated further since the BNP government came to power through an election, claiming that the government has failed to control its own leaders and activists.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s office in Banglamotor on Monday.
Nahid said people were suffering due to the worsening security situation and that expectations of an improvement under an elected government had not been met.
“The people of Bangladesh are going through immense suffering because of the deterioration in law and order,” he said.
Citing recent incidents of vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur and content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio, Nahid questioned the role of the administration. He alleged that police took no effective action despite the attack on the Radda centre continuing for nearly three hours at night.
“Vandalism goes on for three hours in the capital at night and the administration can do nothing about it. This cannot happen,” he said.
Referring to allegations involving a reserved-seat MP of BNP in connection with the Radda incident, Nahid claimed the incident occurred due to “the silence of the police administration and their indirect cooperation”.
He alleged that the attack had “government instigation, state backing and direct patronage of party leaders and activists”.
Regarding the attack on Salman Muqtadir’s studio, Nahid questioned the government’s response, saying it was now creating “various dramas” over who carried out the attack and what the victim’s fault was.
Highlighting clashes over control of CNG and auto-rickshaw stands in Habiganj and an alleged attempt to occupy a madrasa in Savar, he said there was “a kind of anarchy” across the country.
“It does not feel like there is any law enforcement agency in the country,” he said.
Holding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad responsible for the situation, Nahid said restoring law and order quickly would not be possible if the current home minister remained in charge.
The NCP leader also raised allegations over recruitment in government jobs, claiming that viva marks had been increased after the BNP government came to power.
“Marks are being increased by nearly 400 per cent,” he said.
Citing comments allegedly made by some MPs, he said candidates were told that passing the written examination was enough and that they only needed to bring their admit cards during the viva to secure jobs.
Questioning the exclusion of nearly 2,500 candidates from recent recruitment examinations, Nahid said no candidate should be removed without clear evidence.
“If even one job candidate is unfairly excluded from this recruitment process, we will fight for them, speak for them, launch movements for them and, if necessary, remain on the streets,” he said.
Nahid also criticised Tarique Rahman’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, claiming that issues including the energy crisis, border killings, alleged push-ins from India, Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India, the Rohingya crisis, the Teesta project and economic challenges were not properly highlighted.
“We believe the expectations of the people were not reflected there and their aspirations were not presented,” he said.
Criticising the special committee on constitutional amendments, Nahid alleged that the reform process was being bypassed in the name of amendments.
He said fundamental structural changes required a Constitution Reform Council rather than only an amendment bill.
“You cannot carry out fundamental reforms of the Constitution simply by passing an amendment bill. A Constitution Reform Council is needed for that,” he said.
Referring to the July Charter and referendum, he said the “drama” surrounding constitutional reform should end immediately and a meeting of the Constitution Reform Council should be convened. Nahid also expressed concern over freedom of expression, criticising legal measures including the Cyber Security Act.
“Anyone who criticises the government is being arrested. People are being arrested and tortured for criticising ministers,” he said.
Questioning the role of police, he criticised a statement by a Dhaka Metropolitan Police official suggesting that Nasiruddin Patwary should be interrogated.
“Will they perform the duties of the police administration or wear nationalist uniforms?” he said.
He alleged that the absence of police reforms had allowed political influence to continue in areas including promotions and postings. On energy and commodity prices, Nahid said shortages of oil, gas and electricity remained unresolved.
“Regarding the overall situation of the country and the energy crisis, our shortages of oil, gas and electricity are still continuing,” he said.
Demanding swift local government elections, Nahid said the NCP would contest independently.
He said party leaders Nasiruddin Patwary and Asif Mahmud would contest from Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation respectively.
“We are participating independently in this election,” he said, adding that the NCP viewed the local government election as a fight “for reform, justice and against occupiers”.
On declining public trust in political parties, Nahid said the lack of confidence in BNP had contributed to the continuation of “17 years of fascism”.
He claimed BNP’s past role in government and opposition politics had created a crisis of public trust in the party.
