The National Citizen’s Party (NCP) is continuing its nationwide ‘July March’ campaign under the slogan, “We want a non-discriminatory, corruption-free, and democratic Bangladesh.” As part of this initiative, central leaders of the NCP are visiting Meherpur today, Monday (July 8).

NCP Convener Nahid Islam is scheduled to arrive in Meherpur today. He will be accompanied by a delegation of central leaders, including Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam.

According to party sources, the march is set to commence around 12:00 PM from the Khalishakundi area of Gangni Upazila in Meherpur. Following a street meeting in Gangni Bazar, the delegation will proceed to Meherpur city. A rally will be held at 5:00 PM at Shahid Shamsuzzoha Park, where Nahid Islam will deliver the main address as the chief guest.

After the march and rally, the party delegation will visit various important establishments and monuments in Mujibnagar Upazila. They are also scheduled to inaugurate the NCP’s Mujibnagar Upazila office. The delegation will spend the night in Meherpur and, after an exchange of views with local party activists on Wednesday morning, will depart the district.

The NCP’s Meherpur district committee has already completed preparations for this district-level event. The party has called upon people from all walks of life and media personnel to spontaneously participate in the march.

Advocate S.M. Shakil Ahmed, Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP’s National Committee, stated, “This NCP march is not merely a party promotion; rather, we have taken to the streets to convey the voice of the people to the people themselves.”

A shadow of sorrow has fallen over Kamarkhola village in Chandina, Cumilla. This is the story of Mahbub Alam Rubel, a farmer by profession and the president of his local Krishi Dal ward unit. His life seemed to follow a straight path until a web of old debt and a lawsuit ensnared him.

On Saturday (June 28), Rubel, 41, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Allegations have surfaced that his ‘suicide’ was driven by relentless pressure from local BNP leader Gazi Hasan Mahmud Hanif.

The story begins further back—in 2001, Rubel separated from his brother, Mofiz. Then, in 2016, Mofiz and Hanif engaged in a financial transaction involving fish feed. When Mofiz couldn’t repay the money, he eventually left the village for a relative’s house in Barguna, where he tragically died of a heart attack on August 5, 2024.

But the narrative took a dark turn after Mofiz’s death. Hanif targeted Rubel to recover his outstanding debt and filed a lawsuit against him in court. Rubel’s wife, Rehena Begum, alleges that for the past 15 days, Hanif had been exerting such immense pressure that Rubel couldn’t even leave the house. A barrage of threats, fear of more lawsuits—even money for household groceries became scarce.

Under this unbearable pressure, Rubel seemingly sought his last refuge. On Saturday morning at around 9:30 AM, he consumed poison at his home. But his final words were preserved in a mobile phone recording. In it, Rubel spoke of Hanif’s ‘torture,’ even mentioning Hanif’s pressure to file false cases against Awami League members. He stated in the recording that he sought justice from various respectable individuals, including the Chandina Upazila BNP President, but found no remedy. He also mentioned someone named ‘Farid’ as the ‘mastermind’ behind these events. Rubel’s last plea was for the police to conduct a fair investigation into the incident.

Although the accused Hanif has denied the allegations against him, and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station stated that they have not yet received any formal complaint, this incident has cast a profound question mark over Kamarkhola village and indeed, all of Chandina. Is this tragic end for an innocent farmer merely the result of debt pressure, or does it hide a deeper political or social context? The full truth may only emerge after a thorough investigation.

Naseeruddin Patwari, Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has firmly declared, “Insha’Allah, we will go to parliament and form the government. There is no doubt about it.” He further stated, “Bangladesh has seen a bullet revolution, and a ballot revolution will happen next. No power can stop it. We will be victorious.”

He made these remarks on Saturday (June 28) at a discussion meeting and award ceremony organized in the capital on the occasion of International SME Day.

Naseeruddin Patwari issued a warning, stating that any party-affiliated SME-related institutions attempting to operate in the future will be stopped. He demanded that those who have looted the SME sector and the stock market in the last 15 years must be brought to justice.

Accusing previous governments of allowing specific party members to “become rich overnight,” Naseeruddin Patwari said, “We will work for everyone, rising above party lines. Bangladesh must not be harmed over our blood.” He also pledged to stop the culture of earning money through extortion and hooliganism.

Reminding the government that organizing elections is its duty, as is its responsibility towards the younger generation, Naseeruddin Patwari stated, “The government cannot simply sit comfortably and make grand statements without working. Fascism must be judged through judicial processes.”

At the same event, Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator of NCP’s Northern Region, said that a small number of people control 90% of the country’s businesses and have built an empire. He alleged that businessmen have joined hands with political parties through money, and everything from tenders is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. Sarjis Alam urged small business owners to unite, stating that media mafias and bank mafias are creating obstacles for them.