NCP leader Akhtar comes under attack in NY

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a delegate accompanying interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, was pelted with eggs at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport. Police later arrested an Awami League activist named Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury in connection with the incident.

He was arrested Monday night local time from the Jackson Heights area. Police are also searching for several others and reportedly raided their homes.

At 3:10pm local time on Monday, an Emirates commercial flight carrying the chief adviser and his delegation landed at Terminal 8 of JFK Airport. Outside the terminal, a large number of US Awami League leaders and activists held a protest and chanted slogans. As the delegation members exited the terminal and boarded vehicles, Awami League activists hurled eggs at Akhtar Hossain. About six hours later, police arrested Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury from Jackson Heights.

From noon, US Awami League activists had gathered at JFK Airport to stage protests against the arrival of the chief adviser, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organised a reception rally to welcome the delegation.

Both groups stood face-to-face, chanting slogans, holding colourful banners and festoons. The entire terminal area was tense and noisy even before the flight landed.