NCP suspends Ctg joint coordinator over Tk5 lakh extortion accusation
The notice also directed Nizam to submit a written explanation to Advocate Abdullah Al-Amin, within the next 48 hours, explaining why he should not be permanently expelled from the NCP
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has temporarily expelled Nizam Uddin, joint coordinator of its Chattogram city unit, over allegations of extorting Tk5 lakh to "halt protests against Saif Powertech Limited" and serious breaches of party discipline.
According to a party statement today (12 August), the decision follows media reports that raised accusations against Nizam, which the party says have tarnished its reputation.
"In light of the preliminary evidence found against you, you are hereby temporarily expelled from all forms of organisational activities of the party, effective from today," the expulsion order stated.
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The notice also directed Nizam to submit a written explanation to Advocate Abdullah Al-Amin, within the next 48 hours, explaining why he should not be permanently expelled from the NCP.
The suspension follows a video circulating widely on social media since Sunday evening, which captures Nizam engaged in a conversation related to a financial transaction amounting to Tk5 lakh. It is alleged that this money exchange was intended to "halt protests against Saif Powertech Limited."
The one-and-a-half-minute video shows a Messenger call between Nizam Uddin and Aftab Hossain Rifat, recorded on another phone.
At the start, Aftab is heard asking what if "Mir Bhai and others" don't stop the protests. In response, Nizam said they would make it happen, and inquired if the money had been given to him.
Aftab confirmed to Nizam that Tk5 lakh had been paid. Nizam then asked, "Tk5 lakh? To stop the protest?" Aftab replied in the affirmative.
Nizam then suggested that more pressure could have been applied to secure more money.
Aftab replied, "How could I? It's my family member after all."
Nizam insisted, "The movement has to be stopped, right?" He asked Aftab to check if more money can be secured from "high level". If it is possible, Rohan can be brought in, and the additional amount can be distributed.
"This is the port, don't you understand? Why is your demand so low?" he said.
On Sunday, the video was uploaded on Facebook by one Rahad Islam, former joint secretary of the Chattogram city unit of the Students Against Discrimination.
He wrote, "To suppress the movement against Saif Powertec Ltd, Nizam Uddin took Tk5 lakh. This is a direct betrayal of the trust of students and the public."
Multiple sources identified the person seen in the video as Aftab, a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, and known for "handling port-related matters in Chattogram".
In July, Nizam faced similar controversy when a woman accused him of demanding Tk2 crore in extortion.
She claimed that after failing to pay, her husband was falsely implicated in a case by Nizam. At the time, he was serving as secretary of the Chattogram city unit of the Students Against Discrimination. He was suspended following the allegation but later reinstated.
