NCP demands resignation of New York consul general after attack on Akhter

Nahid suggests some diplomatic officials may have had a hand in the attack

In the wake of an attack on party leaders by Awami League supporters in New York, National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam has called for the resignation of the consul general and diplomatic mission staff for failing to ensure the security of political leaders abroad.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Nahid raised the possibility of certain diplomatic officials being complicit in the attack.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus arrived in New York on Monday to attend the UN General Assembly, accompanied by five leaders from three parties. Among them were NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara.

While Yunus, as head of government, left the airport through a separate gate under special security, his BNP, Jamaat and NCP companions were subjected to verbal abuse by Awami League supporters as they left via the common passenger exit.

Akhter was also pelted with eggs during the protest.

In response, the NCP announced plans for a protest march on Tuesday afternoon at Shahbagh, organised by the Dhaka North and South units of the party, which also declared plans for nationwide protests in all districts.

Nahid demanded several actions from the government:

• Immediate identification and arrest of all individuals responsible for the attack on NCP leaders in New York.

• Resignation of the consul general in New York.

• Disciplinary action against officials who failed to provide adequate security for political leaders.

• Removal of officials linked to “fascist” activities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Publish the list of the five individuals arrested in connection with the attack on Adviser Mahfuz Alam in August.

• Full transparency and swift judicial proceedings regarding the "July massacre."

“We will sit with the foreign adviser and demand accountability from him. Why do these incidents keep happening abroad? We have repeatedly seen controversy surrounding the appointments made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Nahid said.

“The fascist affiliates appointed during this era have not been fully removed or held accountable. We have not received any clear answers about why they remain in position.”