National Citizen Party (NCP) and Hefazat-e-Islam reached a consensus on Awami League's trial as a party for mass-killing during the July Uprising and declaring its political and organizational activities as terrorist activities until trial completion.
On Wednesday morning, Hefazat-e-Islam held this meeting at NCP's temporary party office in Banglamotor, and according to an official statement issued by NCP after the meeting, these decisions came from the meeting.
Senior leaders from both NCP and Hefazat participated in this meeting, which Hefazat initiated. Earlier, Hefazat had also had a meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
At the meeting, discussions were held regarding the Awami League trial, reforms, and cases against opposition political parties.
Hefazat and NCP reached agreement on four points concerning the Awami League trial, including AL's trial as a party to mass-killing. The points are until the trial takes place, the Awami League's registration will be canceled, and its political and organizational activities will remain suspended. Steps toward the Awami League's trial should be visible before the election, and AL will be declared a terrorist organization, according to the statement of NCP.
In addition, the exchange of views covered contemporary political issues and ongoing reforms.
Both parties agreed on the swift withdrawal and resolution of false, harassment-based, and politically motivated cases filed by the AL against Hefazat-e-Islam and other parties during the fascist period.
The organization's Secretary General, Maulana Sajidur Rahman; Senior Joint Secretary General, Maulana Junaid Al Habib; Joint Secretary General, Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque; Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi; Nayeb-e-Amir Ahmed Abdul Quader; Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi; and Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani represented Hefazat-e-Islam at the meeting with NCP.
From the NCP side, participants included the party's convener Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, chief organizers Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, joint convener Ashraf Mahadi, and organizer and Rafiqul Islam Aini.
When asked, Rafiqul Islam Aini, who attended the meeting, told Dhaka Tribune that there were discussions and a consensus was reached regarding the trial of AL for mass-killings in the July Uprising. "Since the trial is a year-long process, we want AL to remain banned from political and organisational activities."
He further stated that Hefazat talked about justice against false cases brought against them in the past AL regime, and NCP supported them.
According to him, there was also discussion about bringing back "Unwavering Faith in Allah" in the constitution.
The Hefazat leaders also discussed the need for everyone to work together to withdraw the false cases filed against Islamic scholars, opposition leaders, and activists during the Awami League's rule.
Additionally, they mentioned Hefazat-e-Islam's upcoming grand rally in Dhaka on May 3, which would demand justice for the brutality at Shapla Chattar in Motijhil on May 5, 2013, as well as accountability for disappearances and killings during the Awami League period, and the withdrawal of all cases.
