Nahid Islam demands arrest of former President Shahabuddin to prevent escape
National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called for strict vigilance to prevent former President Mohammed Shahabuddin from fleeing the country under the guise of medical grounds. Speaking at a rally in Netrokona on Friday, Islam alleged that the recent resignation—framed by the former president as a health-related necessity—is a strategic maneuver orchestrated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to facilitate a "safe exit."
Islam argued that the government should have moved to arrest the former president immediately upon taking office, labeling him a collaborator of the previous fascist regime. He insisted that the authorities must act without delay to ensure he faces accountability, rather than allowing him to evade justice through dubious health excuses.
During the rally at the city's old Collectorate ground, Islam redirected his criticism toward the BNP, asserting that the party has abandoned its foundational promises. He claimed the party’s focus has shifted from national progress and the implementation of its 31-point reform agenda to a pursuit of power, looting, and corruption. According to Islam, the narrative of "Bangladesh First" has been replaced by systemic extortion and land grabbing.
Earlier in the day, during a separate event in Mohanganj, Islam addressed the socioeconomic challenges facing the Netrokona region’s haor areas. He criticized the government’s reliance on insufficient aid programs, such as the "fisherman card" system, which provides minimal rations of rice. He argued that such temporary measures fail to provide sustainable livelihoods and urged the government to shift its focus toward genuine job creation and infrastructure development. Islam pledged to advocate in parliament for integrated national policies targeting the development of the tourism and fisheries sectors in the haor basin, which he described as a vital economic asset.
Also speaking at the rally, NCP regional coordinator Sarjis Alam emphasized that the sacrifices made during the July uprising would be in vain without systemic reforms. He stated that the overhaul of the police force, judiciary, and the constitution remains non-negotiable. Alam warned that the movement will remain vigilant to ensure that no future autocracy takes root in Bangladesh, stressing that the fulfillment of the July mandate is essential for the nation's democratic future.
