NCP condemns attack on Patwary

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has condemned the alleged attack on its Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and accompanying party members at the Lalon Shah shrine in Chheuria, Kushtia, demanding an impartial investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

According to a party statement issued on Sunday night, bricks and stones were thrown at Patwary’s vehicle as he entered the shrine premises around 7:15pm. Patwary sustained an injury to his hand, while two others were also hurt. Party members took him to safety as police arrived and brought the situation under control.

Patwary left the shrine around 8pm under police escort and proceeded to Kumarkhali Police Station to lodge a complaint.

The NCP said the incident was the latest in a series of attacks and harassment involving its chief coordinator and called the repeated incidents a matter of serious concern.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam, in a Facebook post, alleged that “BNP thugs” entered the shrine and attacked Patwary and other NCP activists. He said it was the fifth attack on Patwary since the BNP formed the government and demanded that the attackers be identified and brought to justice immediately.

NCP Chief Organiser (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah and Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam also condemned the incident and demanded the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible.

The party recalled that Patwary was allegedly harassed and pelted with eggs during an event at Habibullah Bahar College in Dhaka in January. In July, he and Sarjis allegedly came under attack while returning from an NCP programme in Habiganj. A few days later, allegations emerged of an attack on Patwary’s vehicle in Sylhet, although local police denied that an attack had taken place.

The NCP stressed that political differences cannot justify attacks or violence, warning that failure to investigate such incidents and ensure accountability could encourage political violence.

It urged law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of Patwary and other NCP activists and demanded an impartial investigation into the Kushtia incident.