NCP leader draws criticism over remarks directed at police officials

Jubairul Alam, a central executive member of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has drawn criticism after making controversial remarks directed at the officer-in-charge (OC) of Anwara Police Station while accusing the Anwara Upazila administration of favoritism.

Speaking at a public rally in Chattogram's Anwara Upazila on Wednesday afternoon, Jubairul referred to the July mass uprising, saying: "Didn't you see the 36th of July? Didn't you see how angry students and the public set police stations on fire? Didn't you see how we beat the police, who are paid with taxpayers' money, until they were bloodied?"

A video of the speech later went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism.

The rally was organized by the 11-Party Alliance at Chatari Chowmuhani Tunnel Mor to mark the second anniversary of the July uprising, with demands for the implementation of the "people's mandate," democracy, justice, good governance, and citizens' rights.

The event was chaired by Abdul Gani, president of Anwara Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, and moderated by the party's upazila secretary, Mohammad Abul Hasan.

A 3-minute and 54-second video of Jubairul Alam's speech was later shared widely on social media.

Jubairul also reposted the video on his own Facebook page.

During his speech, he alleged that various state institutions, particularly the police administration, had failed to remain neutral during the July uprising, claiming that many officials had acted in favor of the Awami League and its student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

He also alleged that opposition political activists had been denied access to local administrative offices and police stations at the time.

Accusing the Anwara upazila and police administrations of political favoritism, Jubairul claimed that opposition representatives are still told to contact the area's member of parliament before meeting government officials.

He further alleged that no official file moves within the upazila administration without the MP's approval.

Addressing local administrators, he warned them not to behave as the Awami League had in the past, saying that any attempt to return to what he described as the party's style of governance would not be accepted.