Khagrachhari rape, deaths: Alik Mree quits NCP over party’s silence, Hannan Masud’s controversial remarks

Alik Mree resigned from the National Citizen Party (NCP) as its central joint chief organiser (north) today (29 September), saying he could not remain in a party that stayed silent over the protest against rape in Khagrachhari and violence that left three people killed.

He also heavily criticised NCP Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Hannan Masud for referring to the alleged gang rape of an indigenous girl as "fake".

Alik, a youth from the Garo community and the only indigenous representative on the NCP central committee, announced his resignation in a Facebook post today.

In his resignation letter, he said he was resigning mainly to protest the party's silence over the gang rape of the indigenous girl, attacks on indigenous people, arson at their homes and businesses, and the killings of three indigenous people.

He also cited Hannan's comment referring to the rape as "fake" as another reason behind his resignation.

Alik added that the Khagrachhari district committee of NCP issued a statement without central approval, and his requests for clarification in the party group and by email went unanswered.

He said he joined NCP hoping the party would advocate for indigenous rights and protect their constitutional recognition, but that did not happen.

Following Alik's resignation and facing backlash on social media, Hannan posted on Facebook to express his regret over his comments. He said he had used the phrase "fake rape" accidentally at a rally in Chanandi Union of Hatia Upazila yesterday (28 September) and that it was not his intention.

Speaking in Hatia yesterday about the Khagrachari incident, Hannan alleged that a plot is ongoing to destabilise the hill tracts. 

"There is a conspiracy in the hilly regions of Bangladesh. India wants to take our hills — they are playing their last trump card to unsettle the area. By staging a fake rape, they have driven Bengalis and hill communities against one another."

He further said, "Will the people of Bangladesh give up even an inch of this territory? India will be given an answer. The Bangladesh government must and will give that answer."

In today's Facebook post, Hannan called rape an abhorrent crime and said rapists should face the harshest punishment. 

He also urged his supporters, well-wishers, and critics to treat his unintentional remark as a momentary mistake.

Hannan also urged citizens to stay united and called on the government and law enforcement to listen to both sides.