The National Citizen Party says two explosions outside its Dhaka office were not random. According to the party’s leadership, they were meant to scare its members and stop its rise.
Akhter Hossain, the party’s Member Secretary, told a crowd on Monday that the group would not be silenced. He said the attacks were part of a larger effort to block the NCP’s reform agenda.
“We are not afraid of death,” Hossain said. “Our politics is built on sacrifice. No bomb can stop it.”
The explosions happened just as the party applied for official registration. It also came at a time when the NCP claims its popularity is growing across Bangladesh.
The party has blamed what it calls “old establishment forces” and accused supporters of the ruling party, including banned student and youth groups, of using violence.
“These groups still march in Dhaka, but no one has been arrested,” Hossain said. “We ask law enforcement to act now. Bring them under the law.”
In another attack that took place near the main gathering, four members of the NCP were injured. They were rushed to a nearby medical center for treatment, and party official Hossain confirmed they intend to file a police report over the incident.
He also said online harassment has turned into real threats. “First, they attacked us on social media. Now it’s happening on the streets.”
The NCP has asked security forces to protect its members across the country. It warned that any attack on its supporters is an attack on public reform.
Hossain said the party would keep pushing for change. “We are the successors of those who died for this country. We won’t back away. Not even a step.”
The party ended the rally by thanking those who joined and promising stronger action in the days ahead. “No matter how many times we’re attacked, we will grow twice as strong,” he said.
As an investigation is expected to get underway, officials have yet to confirm what caused the explosions, and police have so far remained silent on the matter.
