The National Citizen Party has plunged into internal crisis after five of its senior leaders quietly travelled to the coastal resort of Cox’s Bazar on a politically sensitive day, skipping official commemorations of the July Uprising’s first anniversary.

The unannounced trip, undertaken without party authorisation, has prompted outrage within NCP ranks.

The party has issued show-cause notices to the group, demanding written explanations in person by Thursday afternoon.

At the heart of the controversy are Senior Joint Secretary Tasnim Jara, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah, and Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari.

Sarjis Alam with his wife and Tasnim Jara at Cox’s Bazar sea beach.

As of Wednesday night, all five remained in Cox’s Bazar, although party insiders said preparations were under way for their return to the capital.

The incident sparked a wave of speculation on Tuesday, fuelled by TV reports alleging — without evidence — that the group travelled to meet former US ambassador Peter Haas.

The rumours triggered a protest by BNP supporters outside the hotel where the leaders were staying.

Adding to the drama, CCTV footage showing the group passing through Dhaka airport and moving around the hotel has been widely shared on social media, further intensifying scrutiny.

None of the five leaders have formally responded to media requests for comment.

Khaled Saifullah briefly told bdnews24.com that he would not speak on any “personal matters”, while Patwari declined to comment for “at least two more days”.

Sarjis made a fleeting appearance in a Facebook Live broadcast from the seashore, but offered no clarification.

The NCP’s Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin said no leader, regardless of rank or popularity, would be spared for breaching party protocol.

“We’ve issued them notices. We’ll speak more after we receive their replies,” she said.

Sharmin also questioned the source of the leaked videos.

“Historically, intelligence agencies have played a role in such leaks. We can’t investigate ourselves, but it’s clear that media trials and surveillance are being used to create pressure. Even informal meetings are being framed.”

She added that the party was considering legal action, particularly against online harassment targeting female leader Tasnim.

Senior Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud said the party was withholding comment until responses to the notices were received. Another Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin described the viral footage as part of a broader campaign to “tarnish reputations”.

Tuhin criticised a BNP-owned TV channel for airing the Haas meeting rumour.

“It’s ironic. The same media outlet that once attacked BNP during the Awami League era is now running character assassinations against its rivals,” he said. “We believe intelligence agencies are behind these leaks.”

The NCP and allied student leaders had been invited to read out the July Proclamation on its first anniversary, but most of the 15 invitees were absent. Only a few, including student leader Rifat Rashid, Convenor Nahid Islam, and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, attended.

Some within the party believe tensions between the government and NCP over the language of the July Proclamation may have prompted the leaders to skip the event. But others say the lack of transparency around the Cox’s Bazar trip has raised suspicions.

As the state marked the July Uprising Day on Tuesday afternoon, news broke that five top NCP leaders had travelled to Cox’s Bazar.

A staff member of Biman Bangladesh Airlines stationed at Cox’s Bazar Airport told bdnews24.com that the NCP leaders arrived around 11:30am on a Biman flight.

From the airport, they left in a vehicle shortly after landing, he added.

Later in the day, rumours began circulating in Cox’s Bazar that the NCP leaders were meeting former US ambassador Haas at a local hotel.

Haas was appointed the US ambassador to Bangladesh in March 2022.

He left Dhaka in July 2024, amid rising anti-government protests across the country.

On Jul 23, shortly after his departure, Haas wrote in a LinkedIn post: “Not exactly the way I expected to conclude my assignment as US ambassador to Bangladesh.”

Dhaka was his final diplomatic posting before retirement.

Following his retirement from the US Foreign Service, Haas joined US-based multinational energy company Excelerate Energy as an advisor.

This new role has reportedly brought him back to Dhaka on occasion.

However, on Tuesday, there was no confirmed information about whether Haas was in Bangladesh.

As of Tuesday, no official word had confirmed whether Haas was in Bangladesh.

Members from law-enforcing agencies and the Cox’s Bazar airport authority said they had no record of Haas entering the country on the day in question.

Amid the speculation, a purported list of VIP users of the Dolonchapa VIP-2 Lounge at Shahjalal International Airport spread on social media, suggesting Haas had used the lounge.

Fact-checking organisation Rumour Scanner, however, says the list circulated in the name of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is fake.

Multiple news outlets, citing their own sources, reported that Haas was not in Bangladesh but in Washington DC at the time.

Attempts to confirm Haas’s location via Excelerate Energy were unsuccessful.

“Whether or not the Peter Haas meeting happened, we wouldn’t have known they were in Cox’s Bazar if the media hadn’t reported it,” said a senior party figure, who asked not to be named.

“That alone raises concerns. If it wasn’t Haas, then perhaps it was someone else.”

Several NCP insiders said the five leaders are expected to return to Dhaka by Wednesday night or early Thursday..

NCP LEADERS STILL IN COX’S BAZAR

All five NCP leaders are still in Cox’s Bazar but have changed hotels.

At 1pm on Wednesday, the group checked out of Sea Pearl Resort in Jaliapalong, Inani — 28km from Cox’s Bazar town.

Kazi Kamruzzaman, the resort’s chief of security and a retired lieutenant commander, said: “They checked out in the afternoon, and we had no foreign guests staying at the hotel [Tuesday] or [Wednesday].”

The leaders had lunch at Shalik Restaurant in the Kalatali area of the town, according to a staff member.

Around 3pm, they checked into Praasad Paradise Hotel, located near Sugandha Point on the beach.

Md Yakub Ali, manager of Praasad Paradise, said: “They arrived at the hotel around 3:30pm. They had first gone to a nearby hotel, but seemingly did not like it and came here instead. There was no prior booking — they checked in upon arrival. We’ve not been informed when they plan to leave.”

Around 7pm, the leaders were seen walking along the beach.

A local organiser accompanying them said no local NCP leaders or activists had known of their arrival until late Tuesday.

“They came on a completely private visit. After news broke in the media, a few activists went to see them at the hotel that night. The leaders seemed annoyed by the rumours circulating,” he said.

Several locals have been with the leaders since their arrival, but even they are unsure when the group plans to leave, according to the organiser.

The five NCP leaders have been under surveillance by law-enforcing agencies since arriving in Cox’s Bazar, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Md Jasim Uddin.

He said, “We weren’t aware in advance that the NCP leaders would be coming. But since their arrival, we’ve kept them under special watch.”

“There is no security threat, so no special measures have been taken. We are providing the level of security that every citizen deserves. However, given their current political importance, we are closely monitoring their movements and providing necessary protection.”

Police have not been informed of their departure plans, Jasim added.

WHY THE PROTEST

The surprise visit by the NCP leaders to Cox’s Bazar on such a significant day has triggered reactions among BNP activists.

On Tuesday, local BNP leaders and activists protested outside the Inani hotel where the NCP leaders were staying.

Selim Siraji, a BNP leader from Ukhiya Upazila who led the protest, said: “There was no party directive to hold the protest. We went after seeing the news in the media.

“[On Wednesday], their own party has issued show-cause notices against them. That itself justifies our protest.”

Rafiqul Huda Chowdhury, a district Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal member who also joined the demonstration, said: “Why would such important leaders come here on such a significant day? It’s suspicious. We organised the protest on our own initiative along with local residents.”

SARJIS GOES LIVE FROM BEACH

Before sunset, NCP leader Sarjis went live on Facebook from the beach, though he made no mention of the Cox’s Bazar trip.

He said, “The 21st point of the National Citizen Party’s manifesto speaks of climate resilience, and protecting our rivers and seas. This sea is full of possibilities.

“We must transform this blue sea into a blue economy, protect biodiversity, and make coastal areas more liveable in the face of rising sea levels due to global warming — that’s why we made this commitment in our manifesto.

“If we don’t act quickly on ocean-related issues, we risk losing this natural beauty and seeing entire coastal settlements vanish under the sea. Reminding the government of this responsibility is part of our goal.

“We must turn the sea into a resource. From mineral wealth to sustainable extraction, we need clear mechanisms to ensure we can benefit responsibly,” he added.

He stressed the importance of protecting rivers and seas: “Our livelihood, movement, homes, and even food are linked to water bodies. That’s why we believe protecting rivers and seas is vital.”

“In Cox’s Bazar, we’ve seen buildings go up without proper planning, and people grabbing land as they please,” the NCP leader said.

“This mismanagement contributes to global warming. That’s why awareness around the environment, resources, and climate is so crucial,” he added