The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called nationwide protest rallies for Wednesday, July 29, over an alleged attack on its march in Habiganj. In a statement issued by the party’s office cell on Tuesday night, NCP said the protest programme was in response to an attack on the motorcade of chief organiser Sarjis Alam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary during a peaceful march.

The party instructed all of its metropolitan, district, upazila and police-station branches to organise local protests and rallies. It also asked relevant organisational units to make necessary preparations for orderly implementation of the programme and ensure that party leaders and activists attend on time.

Sarjis Alam said two marches scheduled in Moulvibazar on Wednesday under the northern region’s July march roadmap would be temporarily suspended in protest. He said a protest procession and rally would instead be held in Habiganj town at 3 pm. NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, joint convener Dr Atiq Mujahid MP, Sarwar Tushar and other central leaders were listed as expected attendees.