Nahid Islam Calls for ‘July Fighters’ Self-Reliance on Security; Election to be Referendum on Reforms

SAVAR, Dhaka: National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today issued a stark warning regarding the security of activists involved in the July mass uprising, asserting that their safety cannot be guaranteed by relying solely on the government or police.

Speaking to journalists after paying tribute at the National Memorial on Victory Day, Nahid stressed the need for self-reliance in security, citing the period immediately following the August 5 revolution.

“As a result, we will need an organisation among the people. We will once again appeal to the people—after August 5, when there was no government and no police, we ensured our own safety,” he said.

Nahid Islam sharply criticized the authorities for their failure to ensure security and deliver swift justice, specifically pointing to the attempted killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, an independent MP aspirant for Dhaka-8 and a key spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, was critically injured in a shooting in the capital’s Paltan area on Friday.

The NCP Convener alleged that those who opened fire have yet to be brought to justice, adding to the anxiety of activists. He also accused “fallen and fascist forces” of trying to destabilize the country and sabotage the upcoming national election.

Looking ahead to the election, Nahid declared that the upcoming vote should be viewed as a referendum on reforms. He promised that NCP MP candidates would campaign with a clear agenda.

“The NCP MP candidates will go to the people’s doors with a ‘yes’ in favour of reforms. We will take Bangladesh forward on the path of reforms and will never return the country to the state it was in before August 5,” he pledged.