NCP Leader’s Conversation Sparks Controversy: ‘See If You Can Get Another Five Lakh

A video allegedly showing Nizam Uddin, the joint coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Chattogram city, demanding five lakh taka to suppress a port-centric movement has gone viral on social media. The video, which surfaced on Sunday evening, captures a conversation between Nizam Uddin and another individual, raising serious allegations of extortion.

Previously, on July 5, a woman lodged a complaint with the police commissioner, accusing Nizam Uddin of extortion. She claimed that when her husband failed to pay a demanded two crore taka, Nizam implicated him in a false case, leading to his arrest. At the time, Nizam was the joint secretary of the Chattogram city branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Following the complaint, his position was temporarily suspended but later reinstated.

In the one-and-a-half-minute video circulating on Facebook, Nizam Uddin is seen speaking with Aftab Hossain Rifat, reportedly a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s port-centric activities, via a Messenger call recorded by another phone. In the conversation, Aftab asks, “What if Mir Bhai and others don’t stop the movement?” Nizam responds, “I’ll make sure the movement is stopped. Have they given you the money?” Aftab confirms, saying “Yes,” and when asked how much, he replies, “Five lakh.” Nizam then says, “Put more pressure… see if you can get another five lakh from them. If you can, I’ll bring Rohan, Mir, and others and settle it.” The video was uploaded on Facebook by Rahadul Islam, a former joint secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Chattogram city branch. In his post, Rahadul wrote, “To suppress the movement against Saif Power Tech, Nizam Uddin has misappropriated five lakh taka. This is not just corruption but a direct betrayal of the trust of students and the public.” When contacted, Rahadul Islam told *Prothom Alo*, “Someone gave me this video. There were earlier allegations of extortion against Nizam. Now, he’s accused of taking money to suppress the port-centric movement against Saif Power Tech.” In response, Nizam Uddin told that, “These are old videos. They are being spread to politically corner me. These are planned videos. The person who recorded it (Aftab) will come live and explain everything.” Mir Arshadul Haque, the chief coordinator of NCP’s Chattogram city branch, told *Prothom Alo*, “After earlier allegations, we sought clarification from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement before including Nizam in the committee. Based on their positive response, he was retained. Now that new allegations have surfaced, we will seek an explanation from him as per our rules.” Notably, on April 23, a procession and rally were organized at Customs Mor in Chattogram under the banner of “Port Protection Movement,” led by NCP’s northern region organizer Russel Ahmed, addressing issues related to the New Mooring Container Terminal.