Leaders and activists of National Citizen Party (NCP) have held a protest programme in Kushtia over allegations that police refused to record a case regarding an attack on the party’s Chief Coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwary, and vandalism of his vehicle at Lalon Akhrabari in Cheuria, Kumarkhali.
However, demonstrators alleged that police obstructed their programme by erecting barricades.
The incident occurred at around 5.15pm on Monday at Kushtia Public Library grounds. Police, however, denied blocking the protest, claiming that considering security risks, the demonstrators were given opportunity to safely conduct their programme at the venue.
According to NCP sources, the attack on Nasiruddin Patwary and vandalism of his vehicle took place on Sunday evening at Lalon Akhrabari in Cheuria.
The party alleged that although they went to the police station at night to file a case, police refused to record it. In protest, a demonstration programme was organised on Monday afternoon, extending from Kushtia Public Library grounds to the gate.
NCP leaders and activists alleged that when demonstrators attempted to leave the library grounds during the programme, police blocked them with barricades, creating a tense situation at the venue.
NCP leaders and activists said their programme was peaceful and that they would hold the protest rally at any cost, expressing readiness to remain at Public Library grounds overnight if necessary.
Meanwhile, resentment prevails among NCP leaders and activists over the alleged refusal of police to accept the case regarding the attack on Nasiruddin Patwary and vehicle vandalism, as well as the police’s stance regarding the subsequent demonstration.
Sultan Maruf Talha, member secretary of NCP Kushtia District, said, “Police are obstructing our peaceful protest programme with barricades.”
“An attempt is being made to establish a new fascism. We will hold our peaceful protest rally no matter what. We informed the administration. But now no one is even picking up phone calls,” he added.
However, police maintained that no obstruction of any kind was being posed to the demonstrators’ programme, mentioning that they were advised to remain inside Public Library grounds considering their safety.
Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kushtia Model Police Station, said, “The demonstrators have a security risk. They can protest inside Public Library grounds for as long as they wish.”
