NCP arch torched ahead of rally in N'ganj

Unidentified miscreants set fire to an archway erected by the National Citizen Party (NCP) ahead of the party's scheduled rally.

The incident occurred on Thursday mid-night in the College Road area of the city, just a day before the party's pre-declared Desh Garte July Padajatra programme there.

NCP central committee member Ahmedur Rahman Tonu directly accused activists of the banned Chhatra League stating, "The terrorists of the banned Chhatra League set fire to it in the middle of the night. One of our toran (gate) was burnt down. 

They fled when the night guard came to stop them. Upon receiving the news, our organizers went to the spot and informed the police. We demand a fair investigation into the incident."

Describing the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage to obstruct political freedom, NCP leaders said the arson was a manifestation of the ruling establishment's culture of political intolerance. The gate was erected in anticipation of the arrival of central leaders participating in the Padajatra, symbolized what the party called 'the people's struggle for national reconstruction and anti-fascist resistance'.

Law enforcement authorities, while confirming the incident, offered limited information. Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tarek Al Mehedi said, "We heard about the incident in the morning. We are not sure who or what committed the incident. The matter is being investigated seriously."