Adequate security in place in Ctg for NCP rally: CMP

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) said they have initiated proper security measures in the city marking the road marches and rallies by the NCP scheduled for today there.

"They [NCP central leaders] have been in Chattogram since last night. We have taken adequate security measures," Mahmuda Begum, additional deputy commissioner (ADC, Media) of CMP, told The Business Standard.

Meanwhile, NCP leaders said despite their "Desh Gorte July Podojatra (July March to Build the Nation)" events being foiled in Gopalganj and Cox's Bazar, the party still has its focus on achieving a large turnout of people in their upcoming road marches and rallies, defying any potential threats.

Yesterday, the NCP's rallies in Cox's Bazar's Eidgaon and Chakaria were abandoned in the face of protests by the local units of the BNP over a recent remark by NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary referring to the BNP's Salahuddin Ahmed.

Before that, on 16 July, the NCP's events were allegedly attacked by the Awami League and the now banned Chhatra League in Gopalganj.  

Central leaders of the party arrived in Chattogram last night after holding a rally in Bandarban. 

Today, the NCP will hold a rally in Rangamati followed by road marches at Chattogram's Kaptai Road, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Biplob Udyan and Chattogram New Market.  

"For now, without taking any concerns [over any possible violence] into account, we are focusing on making the march a success. People from all upazilas will participate in the march," Zobairul Hasan Arif, joint chief organiser of NCP's central committee and supervisor of the party's Chattogram region, told The Business Standard.

Mushfiq Us Salehin, joint member secretary (media) of NCP's central committee, shared with TBS that the party was welcomed cordially by the public during their recent road marches and rallies, and it expects a similar response in Chattogram events today. "Our organisational status in Chattogram is positive. We are focusing on the march, and are not worrying about whether any obstacles arise or not."

Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists in Chattogram and Chittagong University yesterday staged demonstration in protest against the NCP leader's comments involving BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.