National Citizens Party leaders breach police barricade in Sreemangal amid Habiganj protest tensions

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Leaders of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) bypassed a police barricade in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on Wednesday, resuming their journey toward Habiganj following a tense, hour-long standoff. The convoy, carrying senior party officials, is headed to Habiganj to conduct a scheduled press conference despite local administrative restrictions.

The confrontation began at approximately 4:00 p.m. near the Tea-Girl sculpture on the Dhaka-Sylhet regional highway, where law enforcement officers intercepted the party’s motorcade. The group included prominent leaders such as convener Nahid Islam, northern region chief organizer Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, southern region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah, and women’s wing member secretary Mahmuda Mitu.

During the standoff, Hasnat Abdullah challenged the officers on the legal basis for the obstruction, questioning why the party leaders were being targeted while security threats in the region remained unaddressed. In response, police officials cautioned that allowing the group to cross district boundaries could result in significant unrest. Abdullah countered that if authorities could not guarantee security, the party would assume responsibility for its own passage.

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The tensions stem from a clash of planned political activities in Habiganj, where the NCP had called for a rally at 3:00 p.m. coinciding with a counter-program announced by the local unit of the JCD. To prevent potential violence, the district administration imposed Section 144—a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure prohibiting public gatherings—in specific areas of the municipality. Following this mandate, the NCP shifted its focus to hosting a press conference.

Sarjis Alam condemned the interference, alleging that the administration is being manipulated to stifle dissent. While local police officials were not immediately available for comment, security sources indicated that the barricades were established as a precautionary measure to maintain public order amid the competing political demonstrations.