MP Hasnath Abdullah Faces Protest During Visit to Former Chattogram Mayor’s Residence

A routine visit by a Member of Parliament to the residence of a former city mayor has sparked political tensions in Chattogram, after the lawmaker was confronted by protesters questioning the purpose of the meeting.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the North Kattoli area of the port city, at the residence of former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Mohammad Monjur Alam. National Citizens’ Party (NCP) leader and MP Hasnath Abdullah had gone there for what he later described as a courtesy visit.

According to local sources, news of his arrival quickly spread across the surrounding neighbourhood, prompting a group of students and residents to gather outside the house. Within a short time, the gathering turned into a protest, with demonstrators raising questions about his visit.

The protesters, identifying themselves as activists of a recent political movement, questioned why Abdullah would meet a figure associated with a political camp he had previously criticised in parliament. They demanded clarification, saying his actions appeared inconsistent with his public political stance.

Witnesses said tensions escalated as the crowd grew larger, with some protesters surrounding the MP and chanting slogans. The situation became increasingly volatile before others present intervened to calm tensions.

For security reasons, Hasnath Abdullah was quickly escorted away from the scene.

Speaking after the incident, Abdullah said that political differences should not prevent personal interactions. He maintained that the visit was purely a personal courtesy and had no political agenda.

Former mayor Monjur Alam echoed similar remarks, describing the meeting as informal and non-political. However, a statement later issued by the NCP suggested that broader issues, including the country’s current political situation, public engagement, and future organisational strategies, were discussed during the meeting.

The development has triggered speculation in political circles, particularly as Monjur Alam’s name has recently been mentioned in discussions surrounding the upcoming Chattogram City Corporation election. Some observers believe the meeting could carry political significance beyond a simple courtesy visit.

Police officials said they were monitoring the situation after receiving reports of the protest. The officer-in-charge of Akbar Shah Police Station stated that although tensions briefly rose, no major incident occurred and the situation was quickly brought under control.

The episode has added to the political discourse in the region, with analysts noting that even routine interactions between political figures can attract heightened scrutiny in the current climate. They suggest that such developments may influence future political alignments and public perception in the lead-up to key local elections.

Source: The Daily Ittefaq