NCP threatens street protests over ACC inquiry into Asif Mahmud

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has threatened street protests over an Anti-Corruption Commission inquiry into its spokesperson Asif Mahmud, accusing the anti-graft agency of being used as a political tool against leaders of the July uprising.

In a joint statement, the party strongly protested the inquiry, saying it was initiated on the basis of “false and misleading” information published by online portal Ajker Kantha.

The NCP alleged that the portal is operated by a leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and accused the government of politicising the ACC by allowing it to act on what the party described as politically motivated propaganda.

It said the commission was being turned into the kind of political instrument used under the previous Awami League government to discredit opponents and suppress anti-fascist forces.

The party, however, said it was prepared to cooperate fully with any credible investigation into allegations against Asif if conducted by an independent and impartial ACC reconstituted in accordance with the July Charter.

The NCP warned that it would not accept the commission being used “under the guise of an impartial investigation” to target opposition parties or participants in the July uprising.

Unless the government ends what the party called politically motivated targeting and ensures an autonomous anti-graft body, the NCP said it would mobilise students and the public for a “strong resistance movement” on the streets.

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