A press conference held by the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in Rajshahi on Monday afternoon descended into a tense and alarming situation when journalists attending the event were threatened with being locked inside a room. The conference, convened at the Rajshahi Tourism Motel around 4:45 pm, coincided with the recent formation of the party’s new district committee. During the event, two leaders of the party’s youth wing, the National Youth Force, Suyaib Ahmed and chief organiser Md. Mehdi Hasan, reportedly issued the threat.
The new committee had organised the press conference to introduce its convenor, Saiful Islam, and other members. However, a faction outside began protesting, labelling the convenor an “ally of the Awami League,” which added to the tense atmosphere. At one point, the two youth leaders approached the journalists and warned them that they would be locked in the room if they did not leave. Suyaib Ahmed told journalists, “If you do not stop, we will lock you in. We have no intention of mistreating journalists, but we will do it.” Hasan echoed the sentiment, emphasising the seriousness of their threat.
The journalists immediately protested, demanding to know the reason for the threat. The confrontation escalated, causing a brief period of chaos within the motel premises. Ultimately, the two leaders fled outside, followed momentarily by journalists, before order was restored. Subsequently, Suyaib apologised to the journalists, describing himself as a “July warrior” and claiming that his remarks had been made in anger, with no intention to insult or harm anyone. He added that the new committee was being rejected by certain members internally, and his intervention had been intended merely to control proceedings.
Suyaib Ahmed has a controversial history, with allegations against him including assaulting two women and attempting to stop a departing train with stones. Journalists’ questions about these incidents were reportedly evaded.
Md. Mobashwer Ali, convenor of the Rajshahi Metropolitan NCP, described the events as “embarrassing, regrettable, and unacceptable,” noting that the youth wing members acted impulsively. He confirmed that the complaints would be escalated to the central leadership, who would take appropriate action.
The incident also reflects broader tensions within the party. The recently announced 114-member district committee has already seen resignations and public disagreements. Some members have accused the convenor of links to the Awami League, a claim the convenor denied, stating that a widely circulated photograph was merely from a cultural event and not political activity.
This episode has raised serious concerns about the conduct of youth leaders, media freedom, and political stability within the newly formed committee. It also underlines the challenges the NCP faces in maintaining discipline and transparency in its organisational structure in Rajshahi.