Five NCP leaders served show-cause notices for Cox’s Bazar trip on July Uprising Day

They have been asked to explain in 24 hours why they left for the trip during a key party observance without notifying the leadership

Five leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have been issued show-cause notices for travelling to Cox’s Bazar without party permission on the anniversary of the July Uprising.

The leaders have been directed to appear in person before the party’s convenor and secretary and submit a written explanation within 24 hours of receiving the notice.

On Wednesday, NCP Joint Secretary (Office) Saleh Uddin Sifat issued the notices separately to each of the five leaders -- Senior Joint Secretary Tasnim Zara, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, and Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari.

The notice says, “On Aug 5, the first anniversary of the July Uprising and an important national day, you and four other party members went to Cox's Bazar on a personal visit. The political committee of the party was not informed or given an explanation about the visit beforehand. You are requested to report in person to Convenor Nahid Islam and give a written explanation on the reason and context of your decision (to travel) in the next 24 hours.”

Reports circulated on Tuesday saying that the five NCP leaders had travelled to Cox’s Bazar and possibly met with Peter Haas, the former US ambassador to Bangladesh. However, the NCP leaders have denied meeting Haas during the trip.