C T Online Desk: Top 5 leaders asked to explain within 24 hours why they made the trip without informing party’s committee.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has sent show-cause notices to top five leaders for visiting Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday, the first anniversary of July-August uprising, without informing the party political committee.

In the notices, the leaders, including Chief Organisers Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, have been asked to explain within 24 hours why and against which backdrop they chose to make the trip without notifying the political committee.

They have to present their explanations in writing by being present before NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, as per the notices signed by Joint Member Secretary Salehuddin Rifat.

On 5 August, the first anniversary of dictator Hasina’s fall, Sarjis and Hasnat visited Cox’s Bazar with three other leaders: Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, and Tasnim Jara’s husband and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah.

The trip sparked debate and rumours that the NCP leadership held a secret meeting with former US envoy Peter Haas. The apparent disinformation campaign was later debunked as reports confirmed that Peter Haas did not visit Bangladesh recently.

However, the tour had already raised controversy against NCP. The decision to “seek relaxation” far away from the July Uprising celebrations drew further social media criticism.