A group of leaders and activists from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and its youth wing Jatiya Jubo Shakti allegedly locked a six-storey commercial building in Agrabad, Chattogram, for more than 24 hours on Monday night, reportedly demanding extortion money.
The group, led by Abu Naim, convener of the NCP Chattogram Metropolitan Unit, and Sajib Bhuiya, joint member secretary of Jatiya Jubo Shakti, Chattogram City, visited SHR Tower on Monday afternoon disguised as Chattogram City Corporation staff.
The building is owned by Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, a relative of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Inside, the NCP people found the office of the Shipping Corporation of India. Upon seeing the flag of the Indian state-owned company, they accused it of having links with ISKCON, a global Hindu religious organisation.
Naim and Sajib reportedly told the shipping line’s staff to ask their management to contact them immediately. However, a disagreement later arose among the group over whether to lock the building.
Police sources said a physical altercation broke out on Monday night at a restaurant near WASA Circle under Khulshi Police Station between two rival NCP factions over the building-locking incident. Several people were injured before both sides reached an informal settlement later that night.
Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman said the injured parties filed a general diary regarding the clash. “Both groups told us they would resolve the matter among themselves without filing a case,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Sajib Bhuiya denied all allegations but admitted they had gone to the building seeking office space for the July Foundation. “We didn’t demand extortion money; we asked for one floor for the foundation,” he told TIMES.
He claimed that inside the office they found the Indian national flag, the flag of India’s intelligence agency RAW, and a large portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “All these raised suspicion among us,” he added.
Sajib also acknowledged that he instructed that everything inside the building should remain untouched until a ‘scrutiny and change in management’ took place.
The shipping company later contacted them at night, and both sides entered into negotiations, during which NCP representatives allegedly demanded a large sum of money, citing an upcoming party programme in the city on Wednesday to be attended by Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator of NCP’s southern region.
The group eventually locked the building’s main entrance on Monday night. On Tuesday morning, employees of several offices found additional padlocks on the doors and were unable to enter for work. The locks reportedly remained in place until at least 4 p.m.
Witnesses said no one was seen entering or leaving the premises during that period, and even the building’s security staff were absent.
“Yes, the incident of the building being locked is true. We are investigating it. If anyone files a complaint, police will take the necessary action,” said Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz.
Several shipping agents confirmed that the building houses multiple companies, including shipping and travel agencies.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, NCP leaders and the shipping line’s staff met for negotiations at the Evercare Hospital canteen, which was followed by two TIMES reporters. One NCP representative, wearing a head bandage from injuries sustained in the earlier clash, participated in the meeting.
However, the negotiations collapsed after the building owner failed to meet the group’s demands. Subsequently, NCP leaders took control of the corporation office, preventing staff from working.
A company representative told TIMES on Tuesday night they got back the office keys and were warned by NCP members not to re-enter the building.
The incident quickly spread across social media, further tarnishing the image of the newly formed party, which is already facing severe criticism over its members’ involvement in extortion and mob activities.
