Staff Correspondent

BNP Chairperson’s Advisor and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, has said that the demand for a separate division for Noakhali is justified.

He made this remark on Saturday while speaking at a fruit festival organized by the Noakhali Journalists Forum (NJF), Dhaka, at the auditorium of Noakhali Club-Dhaka Limited. The fruit festival took place from 3 PM to 6 PM.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon said, “If an airport and division are established in Noakhali, it will reduce pressure on Chattogram. Noakhali is one of the most popular districts in Bangladesh. If an airport and seaport are established in this district, the local economy will grow significantly.”

“Not just in Dhaka, Noakhali people are scattered all over the world. People often say, ‘You’ll find Noakhali people even on the moon’ — and it’s not said without reason. It’s due to our patience and hard work,” he added. He also pledged to help build Noakhali as a modern division.

Barrister Khokon condemned the brutal beating and killing of a businessman named Sohag near Mitford Hospital in Dhaka allegedly for not paying extortion money. “On behalf of myself, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and BNP Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, I strongly condemn this act. I demand a swift trial of those involved through a tribunal,” he said.

Raising the question of why people are taking the law into their own hands, he stated, “We have expelled 4,000–5,000 BNP activists. Expelling them doesn’t mean we are admitting guilt. We disowned them from our BNP family. That is our way of cooperating with the government. But why haven’t the police arrested these individuals? We want to know why. There may have been crimes, but it’s the government’s responsibility to arrest them.”

Highlighting how BNP, Jamaat, and NCP leaders gather inside police stations in the evenings and engage in discussions, the Supreme Court lawyer questioned, “Why are political activists allowed inside police stations? The government is supposed to be neutral, and so must the police. Why are party loyalists conducting arbitration inside police stations? This must stop immediately.” He also demanded strict action against mob justice and those who spread rumors on Facebook.

The event was presided over by NJF Joint Secretary S.K. Sourav. Other attendees included NJF Joint Secretary Alomgir Hossain, Office Secretary F.I. Masud, Publicity and Publication Secretary Saleh Md. Alok, International Affairs Secretary Syed Md. Shahidul Islam, Women Affairs Secretary Fatema Kawsar, politician and businessman G.S. Sumon, Vice President of Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) Mainul Hossain Pinnu, senior journalist Hedayet Hossain, and other business and political figures.

Members of the NJF executive committee and general members were also present.

Speakers at the event remarked that journalists contribute not only through news but also through national cultural activities. They appreciated NJF Dhaka for organizing the festival and said that such events help spread local culture on the international stage. The special and chief guests were visibly delighted by the variety of native fruits on display.

SM Faiz, Special Correspondent of Banglavision and General Secretary of NJF Dhaka, said the event was aimed at giving journalists in the busy city life an opportunity to enjoy seasonal fruits together. He noted that the festival turned into a joyous reunion of NJF members and expressed gratitude to everyone for making the event lively through their presence.