Dhaka, July 19 -- The National Citizen Party (NCP) has been forced to abandon rallies in Cox's Bazar's Eidgaon and Chakaria following protests by the BNP loyalists angered by comments by NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary branding BNP's Salahuddin Ahmed a "new godfather".

The BNP supporters vandalised road dividers near the planned venue in Chakaria, prompting police and Army personnel to intervene and bring the situation under control.

Unable to continue with their scheduled rallies, the NCP leaders left Cox's Bazar in a motorcade and headed towards Bandarban.

SM Suja Uddin, the NCP joint member secretary, said at 5pm on Saturday: "We have crossed Chakaria, but some people remain stuck."

Earlier in the afternoon, the NCP held a rally at S...