BNP candidate from Bogra 1 constituency Kazi Rafiqul Islam has alleged that police and the detective branch (DB) of the police had effectively put him under house arrestfor the past two days.
He alleged that police and DB police had been blocking the entrance of his house at Nataipara area in the city, and as result he had been under house arrest for the past two days.
In a press conference held at Bogra Press Club on Saturday evening, he also alleged that BNP leaders and activists had been arrested from his house.
However DB police Inspector Nur E Alam Siddique denied the allegation and said that this team stationed outside Rafiqul’s house was simply carrying out their security duty for the election on Sunday, with no intention of arresting or barricading anyone.
The BNP aspirant claimed that Awami League activists were going to his voters’ houses and threatening them, while they remained helpless as DB police stationed in front of his house for the past two days were not letting him leave the house.
Police had already arrested BNP leader Lal Mahmud, Palash, and one other from his house and out of his 750 agents, 27 had been arrested by the police under false cases, he added.
After the declaration of the election schedule, seven cases with the Sonatala police station and two cases with the Sariakandi police station had been filed against his leaders and activists, he added.
In these nine cases, 750 known and 7,000 unknown individuals had been accused, out of which 76 individuals have already been arrested, he also added.
He further said: “The police administration has a reputation to maintain all over the world. So I request them to behave in a neutral way.
“I am ready to participate in the elections despite the constraints. But we expect the administration to remain impartial on the day of voting.”
Addressing voters of his constituency he said: “the three time Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, is currently in jail and each of your votes can ensure her freedom.”
Among others, District BNP General Secretary Joynal Abedin Chan, and BNP leader Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury, were present at the press conference.
Meanwhile, Ashraful Islam, alias Hiro Alam, the independent candidate of Bogra 4 (Kahalu-Nandigram) constituency, alleged that activists of his rival candidate were tearing his posters and are also threatening many polling agents. However, he could not specifically identify the individuals involved.