National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a protest programme at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Friday, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood as part of a five-point charter of demands.
In a statement issued on Thursday night, the party accused the two ministers of failing to ensure public safety and energy security, saying they should step down over their alleged shortcomings.
The NCP has also called for the dissolution of what it described as a “one-party-dominated” committee on constitutional amendments and demanded the formation of a constitutional reform council in accordance with the referendum verdict.
Other demands include repealing all laws that contradict human rights and freedom of expression, and withholding approval of the proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act.
The party further called for the speedy completion of trials over the July mass killings and immediate implementation of the verdicts. It also demanded the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over what it described as questionable remarks concerning extrajudicial killings.
NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said party leaders and members of its political council would assemble at Shahbagh to take part in the demonstration.
He clarified that Friday’s programme should not be considered a grand rally. Instead, it will mark the beginning of a series of protest programmes, starting in Dhaka and gradually extending to divisional cities across the country.
The party plans to organise a large-scale rally after completing the planned protest programmes.
