National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary has alleged that police joined attackers during the recent assault on him and party activists in Jhenaidah.

Speaking at an emergency press briefing at the NCP central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, Patwary said that he had announced he would offer Juma prayers in Jhenaidah. "After I came out of the mosque, an egg was thrown at me. It hit my eye and I could not see clearly for a moment.”

He added that a person then punched him in the head before attackers hurled brick chips.

Patwary alleged that NCP activists were attacked with hockey sticks and local weapons. “At first, we thought three groups were involved -- Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and BNP. But in the last two days, we have found another group: police,” he claimed.

He further alleged that the police initially refused to record a case when NCP activists went to the station. “They switched off the power. We checked the surrounding areas and found electricity everywhere except Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station,” he said, claiming the blackout lasted six hours.

NCP chief coordinator said the police accepted their complaint only after the name of Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil was dropped. He alleged that later around 3,000 people armed with sticks and weapons attempted to storm the police station, while police personnel retreated.

He claimed police negotiated with attackers and encouraged them to file a counter-case.

Comparing Jhenaidah police to Rakkhi Bahini, Patwary said, “There is no rule of law in the country...We see signs of a conspiracy to create a situation where democracy may again be disrupted.”