Nahid warns of targeted killings to derail polls

Staff Reporter :

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam on Saturday alleged that a series of targeted killings is underway to sabotage the upcoming national election and weaken the mass uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape.

Speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur on the occasion of National Intellectual Martyrs’ Day, Nahid said individuals who emerged as leaders, symbols and active participants of the uprising are being deliberately targeted ahead of the polls.

“Those who became the faces, heroes, leaders and participants of the mass uprising are being deliberately targeted as the election approaches,” he said, warning that an atmosphere of fear is being systematically created.

Referring to recent violent incidents, Nahid cited the attack on Osman Hadi as a stark example, noting that the perpetrators of the attempted killing have yet to be arrested. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved.

“Those responsible for planning and organising these attacks—whether within the administration or inside and outside the government—must be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

Calling for political unity, the NCP convener cautioned against mutual blame among parties, arguing that division would only benefit what he described as fascist forces. “This is not the time for division.

If we remain divided, fascist forces will gain the most,” he said, urging political actors to maintain at least a minimum level of national unity to ensure a free and fair election and to keep the democratic process on track.

Reflecting on the significance of National Intellectual Martyrs’ Day, Nahid recalled that on the eve of victory in the 1971 Liberation War, pro-liberation writers, artists, journalists and professionals were systematically killed in an effort to prevent Bangladesh from emerging as a dignified and independent nation.

He said the struggle to realise the aspirations of the Liberation War has continued over the past 54 years, requiring renewed sacrifice during the 2024 uprising. In different phases of the country’s political history, he alleged, sections of the intellectual community stood with the people, while others aligned against them.

“Even after August 5, we witnessed attempts, in the name of intellectualism, to manufacture consent against July and in favour of repression,” Nahid said, adding that people-oriented intellectuals have always existed and will continue to raise their voices.

Stressing the link between political and cultural freedoms, he said the struggle for freedom of thought and expression cannot be separated from the fight for political freedom. Remembering the martyred intellectuals, he added, also means upholding the ideals for which they stood.

Nahid expressed hope that contemporary politicians and intellectuals would carry forward the spirit of the historic struggles of 1947, 1971 and 2024 to build Bangladesh as a self-respecting state.

Reiterating his demands, he again called for the swift arrest and trial of those behind recent attacks and for identifying all masterminds involved, while urging the maintenance of a united, anti-fascist front. Leaders and activists of the NCP were also present at the commemoration.