NCP Will Not Allow a Plundering State Through Intimidation and Administrative Power: Nahid Islam

Pirojpur: Speaking at a public gathering in Pirojpur, Nahid Islam, the convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), declared that the NCP would not allow the establishment of a plundering state through intimidation, muscle power, or misuse of administrative authority.

As part of the "July March for Nation-Building," Nahid Islam addressed a rally organized by the NCP at Pirojpur’s Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday noon. Urging everyone to support the interim government, he said, “Following the mass uprising, we have a government in place. Let us all cooperate with this government and rebuild our nation together.”

However, he noted that not everyone responded to this call. “Some only want power and a quick election. Reforms are not a priority for them. But we have emphasized the need for reforms, justice for the Awami League’s actions, and a new constitution,” he added. Nahid Islam further stated, “During the July mass uprising, many parties and ideologies stood with us. But if some are not in favor of reforms, we, who took to the streets, and you, who responded to our call, have a responsibility. We cannot abandon the streets. No matter the challenges—storms or rain—we must continue our fight.” He emphasized that the NCP aims to build a state free of discrimination, corruption, and oppression. “We don’t want to return to the old system of corruption. Our movement was against inequality. We must eliminate all forms of discrimination—religious, social, and labor-related—to build a just society,” he said. Reflecting on the fall of the previous regime, Nahid said, “Through the student-people’s movement, we brought down a fascist, autocratic government that clung to power for 16 years through oppression, enforced disappearances, killings, torture, corruption, looting, and the denial of voting rights.” He pointed out that the public was deprived of their voting rights in the last three national elections, with oppression perpetrated not only by the government and political parties but also by the police, bureaucracy, and state machinery. “People took to the streets to free themselves from this tyrannical government,” he added. Nahid Islam called for a new Bangladesh, saying, “We come to you with a call to build a new nation, to repay the debt of the martyrs’ blood, and to implement the July Proclamation and Charter.” The NCP, he said, seeks to establish Bangladesh as a just state, free of discrimination and corruption, where everyone’s rights are upheld. He vowed that NCP leaders would remain on the streets to fight against extortionists, corrupt individuals, and occupiers. “If any force thinks they can establish a plundering state through intimidation, muscle power, or misuse of administration, the NCP will not let that happen,” he asserted. Criticizing border killings, Nahid urged the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to take a tougher stance and warned that the NCP would organize a long march to the border if such incidents continue. He also called on the government to build sustainable embankments and take long-term measures to protect people affected by floods, referencing the recent floods in Feni. Addressing the interim government, Nahid said, “This government was established through the blood of the mass uprising, marking the birth of a new Bangladesh. We urge the government not to forget this.”

He announced that, similar to last year’s one-point declaration in August, the NCP would hold a rally on August 3 at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar to address issues like education, health, river erosion, and to demand the implementation of the July Proclamation.