CMP ban rallies on GEC–Dewanhat road amid Chhatra Dal-NCP tension

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has imposed a ban on all forms of rallies, processions and public gatherings on the road stretching from GEC intersection to Dewanhat following escalating tensions between Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and the National Citizen Party (NCP) over allegations of erasing July uprising graffiti.

The order was issued under Section 30 of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1978, citing the need to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.

According to a public notice signed by CMP Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, the restriction came into effect from Monday morning and will remain in force until further notice.

The tension erupted after several pillars of the elevated expressway in the Tigerpass area were repainted in yellow and white by the Chattogram City Corporation. The pillars reportedly featured graffiti and murals commemorating the July movement.

Alleging that the artworks were deliberately erased on the instruction of the city corporation, NCP activists staged protests on Sunday evening. During the demonstration, remarks critical of Chattogram Mayor Shahadat Hossain triggered a counter-procession by Chhatradal activists later at night.

The situation intensified after 11:00pm when NCP activists gathered in the Tigerpass area, while Chhatradal and BNP leaders and activists took position at Lalkhan Bazar intersection, raising fears of a possible confrontation.

In an effort to defuse the tension, Mayor Shahadat Hossain arrived at Lalkhan Bazar around midnight and addressed party activists and journalists.

The mayor said he had been directly involved in the “July movement” and claimed that the spirit of the movement was deeply connected to him personally. He also stated that earlier in the day, NCP activists had met him and were assured that new graffiti would be painted with the assistance of students from the Art College.

Later at around 12:45am, the Chattogram City Corporation announced that a fresh graffiti painting programme would be launched on Monday morning along the road from Tigerpass to Lalkhan Bazar under the mayor’s initiative.