NCP leaders defy Section 144, head towards Habiganj

Central leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have set off for Habiganj after overcoming police barricades and trucks placed across the road in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. They proceeded towards the district town even as Section 144 remained in force in Habiganj.

Around 4:30pm on Wednesday (July 29), police blocked the NCP convoy by placing a truck on a bridge at the Cha-Kanya area in Sreemangal. After being held there for about half an hour, the truck was removed around 5:05pm and the convoy resumed its journey towards Habiganj. No untoward incident was reported during this time.

The NCP convoy included party Convener and MP Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, Southern Region Chief Organiser and MP Hasnat Abdullah, and Joint Member Secretary and MP Mahmuda Mitu, along with other central leaders.

Eyewitnesses said the convoy, consisting of about 10 microbuses, was blocked by over a hundred police personnel when they arrived in Sreemangal. NCP leaders later spoke with senior police officers. Police requested them not to proceed to Habiganj, citing Section 144, but the leaders demanded the barricade be removed. The convoy eventually resumed its journey.

Meanwhile, a police officer in Habiganj said police remain on alert to maintain overall law and order in the district. Additional police have been deployed in the Moulvibazar-Habiganj border areas.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, the district administration imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the Habiganj municipal area to avoid potential clashes. The order prohibited gatherings of five or more people, processions, public meetings, loudspeaker use, slogans and any activities that could disrupt law and order.

It may be noted that on Tuesday night, an attack on the NCP convoy was alleged after a programme in Habiganj. The party claimed BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists carried out the attack. In protest, the NCP announced a demonstration programme in Habiganj on Wednesday. Local BNP and its affiliates announced counter-programmes on the same day. The administration imposed Section 144 amid rising tension over the rival programmes.