NCP leader suspended over Tk5 lakh deal to stop Ctg port protest

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has suspended its Chattogram Metropolitan branch joint coordinator Nizam Uddin, following allegations that he had taken Tk5 lakh to suppress a protest at the Chattogram port.

A video circulating widely on social media since yesterday evening captures him engaged in a conversation related to a financial transaction amounting to Tk5 lakh. It is alleged that this money exchange was meant 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 affirmative.   

Nizam then suggested more pressure could have been applied to secure more money. Aftab replied, "How could I? It's my family member afterall."  

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.

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".

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." 

Saif Powertec was the previous operator of the New Mooring Container Terminal of the port. 

In June, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) sought a three-month interim extension of its contract with Saif Powertec amid the government initiative to appoint UAE-based DP World as the international operator.

However, the contract with Saif Powertec expired on 6 July and the Navy-owned Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL) took over the management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). 

In a latest development, the authorities have decided to appoint a foreign operator for the container terminal by December this year, according to Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).

While the plan to appoint a foreign operator for the terminal has sparked strong opposition from various quarters, it is not clear which movement Aftab and  Nizam were talking about. 

The identity of the person recording the conservation could not be known. The date of this conversation between Aftab and  Nizam also could not be ascertained.

Repeated calls and messages to Nizam via phone and WhatsApp went unanswered. Aftab also could not be contacted.

Yesterday morning, NCP's Chattogram Metropolitan unit issued a show-cause notice signed by Joint Coordinator (Office) Arif Moinuddin, asking Nizam Uddin to provide a written explanation within 24 hours on why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for violating party discipline.

Later, the organisation issued another notice suspending Nizam, stating that primary evidence has been found regarding the allegations against him.

NCP Chattogram City Chief Coordinator Mir Arshadul Haque confirmed to TBS that the person seen in the video is Aftab. "But he is none of us, so we are not focusing on him. Our concern is with Nizam's matter."

He added, "We have zero tolerance for such issues. He has been served a notice and is expected to respond. If his response is unsatisfactory, we will take a tough action."

Earlier, on 5 July, a woman filed a police complaint accusing Nizam of extortion. She alleged that after failing to pay Tk2 crore in extortion demands, her husband was falsely made an accused in a case by Nizam. 

At the time, Nizam was the secretary of the Chattogram city unit of the Students Against Discrimination. Following the complaint, his position was suspended but later reinstated.