Six top NCP leaders in Cox’s Bazar amid mystery over secret meeting claims
Six senior leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have arrived unexpectedly in tourism city Cox’s Bazar on the anniversary of the July Uprising, sparking speculation of a clandestine meeting with former US Ambassador Peter D Haas – a claim the US Embassy says it cannot confirm.
The delegation comprising of key party figures landed at Cox’s Bazar International Airport at 11:30am on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-433 from Dhaka.
The team features: Sarjis Alam, chief organiser for northern region, Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for southern region, Dr Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary, Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator, Khaled Saifullah, joint convener, and Ayesha Khanam, party member.
According to airport sources, the leaders wore masks upon arrival and avoided official transport. Instead, they rented a Noah microbus from the parking area and were driven to Hotel Sea Pearl & Spa (also known as Royal Tulip) in Inani, a secluded coastal resort.
The driver, who requested anonymity, confirmed: “They came out wearing masks, asked if I could rent the car, and told me to go to Inani. I dropped them at the hotel and left.”
Rumours of meeting with former US ambassador
Unconfirmed reports quickly spread on social media and local networks that the NCP leaders were in Cox’s Bazar to hold a secret meeting with Peter D Haas, the former US Ambassador to Bangladesh, who left his post earlier this year.
However, when contacted, Asha C Beh, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka, said: “I have no contact with former Ambassador Peter Haas. He is now a private citizen, and I have no information about his activities or any meetings he may be involved in.”
Hotel authorities at Sea Pearl declined to comment on the guests’ activities, citing privacy policies.
When questioned, Nasiruddin Patwari dismissed the rumours: “This is a personal visit. The news about a meeting with Peter Haas is completely false. We are not aware of any such engagement.”
Political questions mount
The surprise trip has raised eyebrows, especially as the July Declaration Ceremony, a major national event, is being held at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on the same afternoon.
Top NCP convener Nahid Islam and other central figures are going to attend the Dhaka event, but the absence of six key leaders has led to growing speculation within political circles.
Why did they skip the national programme? Was this a covert diplomatic outreach? And why choose Inani, a quiet, remote location, over a formal meeting in the capital?
As crowds gathered outside the Sea Pearl Hotel and journalists scrambled for answers, one thing became clear: in the post-uprising political landscape, even a quiet trip to the beach carries the weight of intrigue.