Journalists boycott NCP briefing at airport over alleged harassment

The NCP activists arrived at the airport to greet two party leaders returning from the New York tour

National Citizen Party (NCP) activists have been accused of harassing journalists at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

In protest against the incident, reporters subsequently boycotted the party’s press conference. The incident took place around 9:45am on Thursday outside the airport’s VIP Gate.

A photojournalist present at the scene told bdnews24.com, "BNP leader Humayun Kabir was briefing the press at the airport's VIP Gate. At the time, the attending NCP members were chanting slogans loudly. A media worker from Star News then asked them to stop.

"At this point, the NCP supporters turned on the media workers and harassed them. In protest, the media workers boycotted the NCP press conference and left. We demand proper justice for this incident."

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus returned home on Thursday after a nine-day tour following the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

His entourage included six politicians. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Acting Chairman's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, and NCP Joint Convener Tasnim Jara joined the delegation from Dhaka.

Activists from the NCP's Dhaka Metropolitan North unit arrived at the airport at 8:45am to greet the two party leaders returning from the tour.

The journalists were invited by the party to cover the news on Wednesday night.

NCP Joint Member Secretary (Media) Mushfiq Us Salehin confirmed the matter to bdnews24.com.

He said, "We have spoken to the Star News journalist and sought an apology on behalf of the party.

"One activist caused this incident without understanding the implications. We will identify him and take organisational action."