'Will hang them from trees': NCP leader Akhtar warns attackers of women

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain yesterday (1 February) issued a stern warning against attacks and harassment of women, saying perpetrators would be "hung from trees" if such acts continued.

Speaking as the chair at a roadside rally during NCP's election march in Rangpur-4 constituency, Akhtar alleged that women had been attacked and harassed in the area even the previous day, reads a press release issued by the party.

"Do not indulge in misconduct involving women. If you do, we will hang you one by one from trees," he said, using strong language to underscore his warning.

In his address, Akhtar said Bangladesh had endured prolonged oppression, enforced disappearances and killings, and though the country had emerged from repression, it was yet to be freed from corruption, bribery and state conspiracies. He said the 11-party alliance comprising Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP had been formed to carry out reforms and build a new Bangladesh.

He pledged to reduce dependence on brokers and political middlemen and ensure public services reach people's doorsteps. Among his promises were displaying income and expenditure publicly through notice boards, establishing mobile medical centres to ensure safe childbirth for pregnant women, and delivering healthcare directly to households.

On the Teesta mega project, Akhtar said water scarcity and inadequate river depth were key challenges. He vowed that if the 11-party alliance won and the NCP's 'Shapla Kali' symbol secured victory, the Teesta mega project would be implemented to end development disparities in the northern region.

Akhtar also criticised what he described as media bias and warned media owners against siding with any particular political camp. He alleged that wealthy syndicates dominated local areas and promised to dismantle them if elected.

Addressing the rally, NCP spokesperson and Election Steering Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said the 11-party alliance would ensure trials over what he termed the Shapla massacre, the July massacre and other killings if voted into power. He accused both the Awami League and BNP of a history of repression and pledged to establish good governance and end regional disparities.

NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah said the party did not rely on extortion funds and vowed to act against extortionists and drug traders. He urged voters to reject inducements such as clothing or gifts and instead support the alliance for long-term change.

Leaders at the rally repeatedly called on voters to cast a "Yes" vote in the referendum, claiming major parties had publicly backed it, while criticising those campaigning for a "No" vote. The rally concluded with appeals to voters to support the 11-party alliance in the upcoming polls scheduled for 12 February.