CMP Removes BNP Leader from ‘Miscreants’ List Following Backlash

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has amended a controversial public notice identifying 330 "miscreants," removing the name of a senior BNP leader just eight hours after the list was published.

The amendment, issued at midnight on Saturday, dropped Showkat Azam Khwaja, the joint convener of Chattogram City BNP, from the list. CMP’s public relations department shared the revised first page with journalists but did not provide an official reason for the removal.

The initial notice, signed by Police Commissioner Habib Aziz on Saturday afternoon, identified 330 individuals—including professional criminals, ousted Awami League ministers, former MPs, and mayors—as threats to public order. Under the CMP Ordinance 1978, those listed are prohibited from entering or staying in the city for up to two years.

Despite the removal of Khwaja, the list continues to face scrutiny for several reasons: Political Leaders: Names of other BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal leaders remain on the list. Dead & Imprisoned: The list still includes deceased individuals, such as former ward councillor Ataullah Chowdhury (who died in November), and those currently in custody, like ISKCON’s Chinmoy Krishna Das. High-Profile Figures: Former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and ex-mayor AJM Nasir are among the 330 names.

Responding to the initial list, Khwaja had termed the inclusion of political leaders alongside professional criminals as "embarrassing." BNP leaders are expected to meet the Police Commissioner to clarify the criteria used to compile the blacklist.