Dhaka:National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has threatened to escalate protests across Bangladesh and potentially surround Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in a bid to demand the resignations of the Home and Energy Ministers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nahid Islam made these statements during a protest rally organized by the NCP's Dhaka north and south city units at Shahbagh. The NCP has put forth a four-point demand, primarily holding Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed accountable for what it describes as the government's failure to maintain public security. Nahid Islam accused the government of allowing a deterioration in the law and order situation, leading to increased vulnerability to killings, enforced disappearances, and other security issues.
The NCP's demands include the resignation of the Home and Energy Ministers due to their alleged failures, the dissolution of a constitutional amendment committee they claim is biased, and the formation of a Constitution Reform Council based on the July Charter referendum outcomes. They also call for the repeal of laws perceived as infringing on human rights and freedom of expression, the rejection of proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act, and the completion and implementation of verdicts from the trials over the July mass killings.
Nahid Islam criticized the BNP government for not adhering to the commitments made in the July Charter, its 31-point program, and election manifesto. He also accused Salahuddin Ahmed of prioritizing constitutional amendment activities over his duties as Home Minister. Concerns were raised about border security, with allegations that Bangladeshis are being killed along the border and that India is attempting to destabilize Bangladesh. The NCP convener further warned of a new movement if a fair renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is not achieved by December, asserting that Bangladesh will not compromise on its share of the river's water.