Attacks on NCP leaders disgraceful

We strongly condemn the attacks on National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara by Awami League supporters in New York City outside the JFK Airport on Monday. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also with them at the time. According to reports, eggs were hurled at Akhter, while a torrent of sexist slurs was directed at Jara. The three were part of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

While everyone has a right to protest, nobody has the right to be violent or abusive. The AL supporters' behaviour was reprehensible and demonstrates that they have learnt nothing from the July uprising and the public's rejection of the AL for its brutal crackdown on protesters. Nor is there any sign of remorse for the brutal deaths of over a thousand civilians in the uprising. It is deplorable that AL supporters are still following such a violent political culture, manifesting it even on foreign soil. What is also concerning is the image such acts create of Bangladeshis in an environment where anti-immigrant sentiments are rife, with likely adverse repercussions for our diaspora as a whole. In the past, there have been similar attempts to attack Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam as well as incidents of vandalism at the Bangladesh Consulate General.

We are also disappointed that the chief adviser's office was unable to ensure adequate security for these three political leaders despite their being part of his delegation. The CA office has expressed regret over the attack, stating it was politically motivated and alleging that Mirza Fakhrul was also assaulted. The statement further noted that precautionary measures had been taken, but due to last-minute visa complications, the three were rerouted through another exit. It added that despite formal requests for VVIP access, the airport authorities denied it, exposing them to risk. According to a report, the three leaders did not have the same visa documents as the others in the delegation who had VVIP access. This should have been factored into the pre-visit planning by the CA office, with proper follow-up actions.

This disturbing incident and those that occurred before should make the CA office more diligent and foresighted when arranging foreign visits for officials or other individuals in official entourages. It is also important to ascertain whether the Bangladesh Consulate General played its due role in providing the proper protocol to the political leaders.

It is, however, reassuring to know that one of the culprits who recorded himself holding up an egg and hurling abuses at Akhter Hossen has been arrested. We hope that such unsavoury incidents are avoided in the future. Going forward, Bangladeshi consulates must be more vigilant and take pre-emptive actions (such as informing local police) to prevent belligerent groups from gathering outside airports, consulates, or other public areas. Given the hostile climate created by many AL supporters living abroad, the CA office must take extra steps to ensure the security of all Bangladeshi officials and delegates visiting foreign countries.