Shahabuddin has no arrest immunity: NCP

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary and Member of Parliament Akhter Hossen on Sunday said former President Mohammed Shahabuddin (Chuppu) cannot claim constitutional immunity from arrest by invoking Article 51 of the Constitution.

He made the remarks while addressing the party’s “July Awakening” march and street rally at the Jibannagar Open Stage in Chuadanga.

The programme was organised under the slogan, “Committed to Building a Just, Democratic, Rights-Based and Prosperous Bangladesh.”

Referring to the constitutional provision, Akhter Hossen said, “Former President Shahabuddin Chuppu’s arrest cannot be prevented by citing Article 51 of the Constitution.

Article 51 does not provide him with any constitutional immunity against arrest.”

He also criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alleging that the party had taken a position against the interests of the people.

Akhter claimed that although 70 per cent of voters supported the referendum by voting in favour, the BNP had failed to implement the outcome.

He further alleged that the party was attempting to politicise several state institutions, including the Election Commission.

Among those who addressed the rally were NCP Joint Member Secretary Molla Mohammad Faruk Ahsan, Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar, and Joint Member Secretary Dr Mahmuda Mitu.

District leaders attending the programme included Chuadanga NCP Convener Khaza Amirul Bashar Biplob, Member Secretary Alamgir Hossen, Organising Secretary Md Sohel Parvez, Senior Joint Convener Md Golam Sarwar Choton, Ali Rushdi Majnu, and other district- and upazila-level leaders.

Leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Chhatra Shakti, and Jamaat-e-Islami also attended the rally.

Earlier on Sunday, the NCP held a similar “July Awakening” march and street rally in Jhenaidah. According to organisers, the programme is scheduled to continue with another march and rally in Chuadanga on Monday afternoon.