Pre-poll violence continues

BNP candidate for Pabna-4 attacked

Several BNP candidates and their supporters were injured in alleged attacks by Awami League (AL) men in different districts as violence continued unabated in the run-up to the December 30 general election.

In another development, the BNP candidate for Jhenidah-3 and his wife were arrested yesterday on charges of carrying out subversive activities.

Milu Mia Biswas, assistant superintendent of police (Jhenidah), said the candidate, Motiur Rahman, was the nayeb-e-ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Jhenidah district unit and stood accused in 27 cases. Motiur along with his wife, Nazma Rahman, were picked up from their daughter’s residence in Rayerbazar area of Dhaka around 2am. Two laptops and seven mobile phones used for subversive activities were seized from Motiur’s possession.

Also yesterday, the BNP candidate for Pabna-4, Habibur Rahman Habib, was stabbed allegedly by AL men just before attending an election rally in Ishawardi upazila of Pabna. Habibur was attacked when he arrived at Ishwardi Alhaz School for the election rally.

Locals said some 12-15 men wearing AL badges attacked Habib with knives and machetes.

Bahauddin Faruki, officer in-charge (OC) of Ishwardi police station, said eight people were detained from the spot in this connection. Habibur was taken to Iswardi General Hospital, he added.

In Thakurgaon, Rahat Ara Begum, wife of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was restrained from electioneering for her husband allegedly by ruling party activists. Rahat came up with the allegation at a press briefing at her home yesterday.

She said she and her daughter, along with their supporters, were going for campaigning for her husband, who is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election from Thakurgaon-1. But a gang of eight to 10 people armed with sharp weapons threatened to attack them if they did not leave the place immediately.

In Bagerhat, police detained 99 Jamaat-e-Islami activists from the residence of Jamaat leader Md. Abdul Alim, the BNP candidate for the Bagerhat-4 seat. They were planning to unleash unrest ahead of the December 30 polls, police claimed.

In a media briefing on Tuesday evening, Bagerhat police super Pankaj Chandra Rai said the suspects were detained near Asilaha Pilot High School at Morelganj. “A court has remanded the accused in jail custody,” he added.

Police acted on intelligence inputs that a meeting was being held at Abdul Alim’s residence to discuss plans to create chaos and unrest at Morelganj and Sharankhola during the polls. “We detained 99 Jamaat men of various positions in the outfit during the raid. We also seized grenades, petrol bombs along with numerous makeshift arms from the premises,” the SP said.

However, Abdul Alim couldn’t be detained, he added.

In Satkhira, police detained a relative of BNP candidate for possessing Tk 85,000 in fake notes. The accused, Miaraj Hossen, is the son-in-law of Abdul Khalek, the BNP candidate for Satkhira-2 constituency and an assistant professor of Satkhira Government College.

In Tangail, the Basail upazila administration imposed Section 144 in the upazila headquarters from 12 am to 12 pm yesterday as two parties had called meetings at the same venue.

Shamsur Nahar Sawpna, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Basail, said Jatiya Oikya Front had called an election meeting at Shaheed Minar. The BCL’s Basail upazila unit had called another meeting of workers near the same venue. Fearing deterioration of law and order, Section 144 was imposed in the area.

It is to be noted that Kuri Siddique, daughter of Abdul Kader Siddique, is contesting from Tangail -8 (Basail-Sakhipur) with the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol from Oikyafront, while advocate Joaherul Islam is contesting from the Grand Alliance with the ‘boat’ symbol.

In Jashore, a group of young men vandalised 15 business establishments at different places of Shamkur union in Manirampur upazila on Tuesday centring the upcoming national election. Earlier candidate of Jashore-3 constituency for sheaf of paddy Aninda Islam Amit at a press conference said that in the last couple of days as many as 250 leaders were arrested leaving only my wife to accompany me.  

In Chapainawabganj, the Oikyafront candidate for Chapainawabganj-1 (Shibganj), Md Shahjahan Mia, alleged that AL leaders and workers were carrying out attacks on his election offices and tearing posters, festoons and banners.

Shahjahan, who is also the advisor of the BNP chairperson, further alleged that AL men were lodging false cases against BNP leaders and workers after ransacking and setting fire to their offices. He also alleged violation of election code of conduct by AL men at Monakasha, Durlavpur and Binodpur unions.

While asked whether he or his representatives made any complaint with the returning or assistant returning officers regarding this, Shahjahan said he would lodge a written complaint with the returning officer. “The law enforcers are arresting my men without any warrant,” he told journalists at Chapainawabganj Press Club yesterday.

Advocate Rafiqul Islam Tipu, president of the BNP Chapainawabganj district unit, and Ashraful Alam Rashid, and secretary of the BNP Shibganj upazila unit, were also present in the press conference.

However, additional superintendent of police (Chapainawabganj), Mahbub Alam Khan, denied the allegation that BNP men were being arrested without any warrant. “Only criminals are being arrested on definite cases,” he added.

In Chattogram, police recovered a country-made gun and bomb-making materials from a vehicle hired for the electoral campaign of the BNP candidate for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), Ishak Chowdhury, yesterday. The vehicle was parked at the Jalil Gate area in front of a restaurant in Chattogram.

Delowar Hossain, officer-in-xharge (OC) of Sitakunda police station confirmed the incident.

However, Ishak Chowdhury said the entire thing was stage-managed to tarnish his image.

Junaid Saki, coordinator of the Gono Songhoti Andolon and a candidate for Dhaka-12, claimed that police and ruling party men were arresting opposition activists without any provocation. He was speaking at a press briefing held at his party office at Hatirpul, Dhaka, yesterday afternoon.

He also claimed that seven of his supporters were brutally beaten up by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the Dhaka University (DU) gymnasium last night. "The BCL men broke the hands of Rupok Roy and Md Sujon," he said.

“We have informed Shahbagh police station and DU proctor while they were attacking my supporters. But they haven’t taken any steps," he added.

Expressing his concern over the prevailing situation, Saki said: “The Army is working as a striking force. Army personnel can’t do anything unless returning officers ask them to take steps. But police can act immediately, even though they remain passive spectators of violence. Common people are losing their faith in police. This is a really alarming sign for national unity.”

Junaid Saki argued that the BCL should take steps against the attackers and police also should arrest the culprits.

 UNB adds: In Khagrachhari, a clash between local Awami League and BNP men in Ramgarh upazila left at least 15 people injured.

Witnesses said the clash ensued when district BNP president Wadud Bhuiyan along with party men was conducting electioneering in the upazila headquarters in favour of party candidate Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan Farhad at noon.

Later, police and BGB men rushed in and controlled the situation, said officer-in-charge of Ramgarh Police Station Tarek Mohammad Hannan.

In Panchagarh, four members of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal were injured as Awami League men reportedly attacked a campaign in favour of the BNP candidate in Dhakkamara union of Sadar upazila.

In Tetulia upazila, several election camps of BNP candidate Md Nowshad Jamir for Panchagarh-1 constituency were allegedly vandalised.

In another incident, a member of Bangladesh Chhatra League was severely injured after being attacked reportedly by local BNP men.

In Satkhira, the motorcade of Jatiya Party candidate Syed Didar Bakht of Satkhira-1 constituency was attacked at Nagarghata of Tala upazila in the evening.

In Bogura, two separate cases were filed accusing 180 BNP leaders and activists as police found crude bombs and arms in a BNP election camp at Mathurapur. General Secretary of Awami League Mathurapur union unit Golam Mortaza and AL President of Elangi union unit filed the case.

Pre-poll violence continues

BNP candidate for Pabna-4 attacked

Several BNP candidates and their supporters were injured in alleged attacks by Awami League (AL) men in different districts as violence continued unabated in the run-up to the December 30 general election. In another development, the BNP candidate for Jhenidah-3 and his wife were arrested yesterday on charges of carrying out subversive activities. Milu Mia Biswas, assistant superintendent of police (Jhenidah), said the candidate, Motiur Rahman, was the nayeb-e-ameer of Jamaat-e-Islamis Jhenidah district unit and stood accused in 27 cases. Motiur along with his wife, Nazma Rahman, were picked up from their daughters residence in Rayerbazar area of Dhaka around 2am. Two laptops and seven mobile phones used for subversive activities were seized from Motiurs possession. Also yesterday, the BNP candidate for Pabna-4, Habibur Rahman Habib, was stabbed allegedly by AL men just before attending an election rally in Ishawardi upazila of Pabna. Habibur was attacked when he arrived at Ishwardi Alhaz School for the election rally. Locals said some 12-15 men wearing AL badges attacked Habib with knives and machetes. Bahauddin Faruki, officer in-charge (OC) of Ishwardi police station, said eight people were detained from the spot in this connection. Habibur was taken to Iswardi General Hospital, he added. In Thakurgaon, Rahat Ara Begum, wife of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was restrained from electioneering for her husband allegedly by ruling party activists. Rahat came up with the allegation at a press briefing at her home yesterday. She said she and her daughter, along with their supporters, were going for campaigning for her husband, who is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election from Thakurgaon-1. But a gang of eight to 10 people armed with sharp weapons threatened to attack them if they did not leave the place immediately. In Bagerhat, police detained 99 Jamaat-e-Islami activists from the residence of Jamaat leader Md. Abdul Alim, the BNP candidate for the Bagerhat-4 seat. They were planning to unleash unrest ahead of the December 30 polls, police claimed. In a media briefing on Tuesday evening, Bagerhat police super Pankaj Chandra Rai said the suspects were detained near Asilaha Pilot High School at Morelganj. A court has remanded the accused in jail custody, he added. Police acted on intelligence inputs that a meeting was being held at Abdul Alims residence to discuss plans to create chaos and unrest at Morelganj and Sharankhola during the polls. We detained 99 Jamaat men of various positions in the outfit during the raid. We also seized grenades, petrol bombs along with numerous makeshift arms from the premises, the SP said. However, Abdul Alim couldnt be detained, he added. In Satkhira, police detained a relative of BNP candidate for possessing Tk 85,000 in fake notes. The accused, Miaraj Hossen, is the son-in-law of Abdul Khalek, the BNP candidate for Satkhira-2 constituency and an assistant professor of Satkhira Government College. In Tangail, the Basail upazila administration imposed Section 144 in the upazila headquarters from 12 am to 12 pm yesterday as two parties had called meetings at the same venue. Shamsur Nahar Sawpna, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Basail, said Jatiya Oikya Front had called an election meeting at Shaheed Minar. The BCLs Basail upazila unit had called another meeting of workers near the same venue. Fearing deterioration of law and order, Section 144 was imposed in the area. It is to be noted that Kuri Siddique, daughter of Abdul Kader Siddique, is contesting from Tangail -8 (Basail-Sakhipur) with the paddy sheaf symbol from Oikyafront, while advocate Joaherul Islam is contesting from the Grand Alliance with the boat symbol. In Jashore, a group of young men vandalised 15 business establishments at different places of Shamkur union in Manirampur upazila on Tuesday centring the upcoming national election. Earlier candidate of Jashore-3 constituency for sheaf of paddy Aninda Islam Amit at a press conference said that in the last couple of days as many as 250 leaders were arrested leaving only my wife to accompany me. In Chapainawabganj, the Oikyafront candidate for Chapainawabganj-1 (Shibganj), Md Shahjahan Mia, alleged that AL leaders and workers were carrying out attacks on his election offices and tearing posters, festoons and banners. Shahjahan, who is also the advisor of the BNP chairperson, further alleged that AL men were lodging false cases against BNP leaders and workers after ransacking and setting fire to their offices. He also alleged violation of election code of conduct by AL men at Monakasha, Durlavpur and Binodpur unions. While asked whether he or his representatives made any complaint with the returning or assistant returning officers regarding this, Shahjahan said he would lodge a written complaint with the returning officer. The law enforcers are arresting my men without any warrant, he told journalists at Chapainawabganj Press Club yesterday. Advocate Rafiqul Islam Tipu, president of the BNP Chapainawabganj district unit, and Ashraful Alam Rashid, and secretary of the BNP Shibganj upazila unit, were also present in the press conference. However, additional superintendent of police (Chapainawabganj), Mahbub Alam Khan, denied the allegation that BNP men were being arrested without any warrant. Only criminals are being arrested on definite cases, he added. In Chattogram, police recovered a country-made gun and bomb-making materials from a vehicle hired for the electoral campaign of the BNP candidate for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), Ishak Chowdhury, yesterday. The vehicle was parked at the Jalil Gate area in front of a restaurant in Chattogram. Delowar Hossain, officer-in-xharge (OC) of Sitakunda police station confirmed the incident. However, Ishak Chowdhury said the entire thing was stage-managed to tarnish his image. Junaid Saki, coordinator of the Gono Songhoti Andolon and a candidate for Dhaka-12, claimed that police and ruling party men were arresting opposition activists without any provocation. He was speaking at a press briefing held at his party office at Hatirpul, Dhaka, yesterday afternoon. He also claimed that seven of his supporters were brutally beaten up by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at the Dhaka University (DU) gymnasium last night. The BCL men broke the hands of Rupok Roy and Md Sujon, he said. We have informed Shahbagh police station and DU proctor while they were attacking my supporters. But they havent taken any steps, he added. Expressing his concern over the prevailing situation, Saki said: The Army is working as a striking force. Army personnel cant do anything unless returning officers ask them to take steps. But police can act immediately, even though they remain passive spectators of violence. Common people are losing their faith in police. This is a really alarming sign for national unity. Junaid Saki argued that the BCL should take steps against the attackers and police also should arrest the culprits. UNB adds: In Khagrachhari, a clash between local Awami League and BNP men in Ramgarh upazila left at least 15 people injured. Witnesses said the clash ensued when district BNP president Wadud Bhuiyan along with party men was conducting electioneering in the upazila headquarters in favour of party candidate Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan Farhad at noon. Later, police and BGB men rushed in and controlled the situation, said officer-in-charge of Ramgarh Police Station Tarek Mohammad Hannan. In Panchagarh, four members of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal were injured as Awami League men reportedly attacked a campaign in favour of the BNP candidate in Dhakkamara union of Sadar upazila. In Tetulia upazila, several election camps of BNP candidate Md Nowshad Jamir for Panchagarh-1 constituency were allegedly vandalised. In another incident, a member of Bangladesh Chhatra League was severely injured after being attacked reportedly by local BNP men. In Satkhira, the motorcade of Jatiya Party candidate Syed Didar Bakht of Satkhira-1 constituency was attacked at Nagarghata of Tala upazila in the evening. In Bogura, two separate cases were filed accusing 180 BNP leaders and activists as police found crude bombs and arms in a BNP election camp at Mathurapur. General Secretary of Awami League Mathurapur union unit Golam Mortaza and AL President of Elangi union unit filed the case.