Rangamati, July 20 (V7N) — Leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) hastily left Rangamati on Sunday, within a 10-minute ultimatum set by the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), following mounting protests over controversial remarks made by NCP leader Nasir Uddin Patowary about BNP figure Salahuddin Ahmed.

The JCD’s protest coincided with the NCP’s scheduled rally, which had started around 1:00 PM after a march from the Shilpakala Academy to Bonrupa intersection. As the NCP event continued, JCD and Jubo Dal activists, led by District JCD President Faruk Hossain Sabbir and General Secretary Ali Akbar Sumon, attempted to march to the rally site in protest.

Police intercepted the protesters at Kathaltoli intersection to prevent escalation. There, JCD leaders gave a public 10-minute deadline through law enforcement, demanding the immediate departure of NCP leaders from Rangamati.

In a swift response, the NCP ended its rally and vacated the area before the deadline expired. District JCD President Sabbir later thanked the NCP leaders for leaving “within the time limit set by the people of Rangamati.”

Speaking to reporters, Sabbir stated, “The people of Rangamati, particularly the student community, have outright rejected the indecent and insulting remarks made by NCP leader Nasir Uddin Patowary about our beloved BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed of Cox’s Bazar.”

He added, “We gave them 10 minutes to leave Rangamati, and they fled before that. For that, we thank them.”

The JCD and Jubo Dal rally had earlier caused a blockade on a key roadway as protesters chanted slogans against the NCP. The police later dispersed them to avoid further disruption.

NCP leaders had faced a tense atmosphere throughout the day, as the city remained on high alert. Increased deployment of police, BGB, and military forces was visible at major intersections. The presence of law enforcement ensured that no major clashes occurred, but public inconvenience—especially for students returning from exams—was widely reported due to road closures.

The NCP’s rally had initially focused on constitutional reform and unity across ethnic lines, but the political tension surrounding the controversial statement overshadowed the agenda.

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