Political camps of both BNP and Awami League were attacked and torched in several districts in last 48 hours ahead of the 11th general election, slated for December 30.
Meanwhile, filing of cases against opposition activists continues across Bangladesh including a single case accusing 571 people alone in Bogra for attack to election office and vandalising houses of the Awami League activists.
In Bagerhat, miscreants set fire to an Awami League office in Baruipara union early Thursday.
Awami League upazila unit President Kamalesh Bhattacharya filed a case accusing 30 people including 11 named accused while police has detained three in this connection.
In Rampal uapzila, miscreants set fire to an Awami League election camp on Thursday night and police on Friday detained three in this connection.
In Magura, miscreants set fire on a replica boat installed in front of an Awami League election office in Mohammadpur upazila.
In Barisal, Awami League candidate Col (retd.) Zahid Faruk Shamim accused BNP of setting fire to an office early Friday near Abed Ali Shah Majar at Kashipur area under Airport police station.
AR Mukul, officer-in-charge of Airport police station, said local people noticed smoke and flame inside the locked office and informed police.
Col Zahid alleged that cadres of the rival BNP candidate tried to set fire to his election camp. However, BNP candidate Mojibor Rahman Sarwar denied the allegation.
In the last two days, 55 people were arrested from Meherpur in violence related cases, confirmed police.
In Bogra, Awami League Sonatola upazila Joint Secretary Ataur Rahman yesterday filed a case accusing 571 including 71 people, mostly BNP men, accusing them of attack on the party’s campaign office and vandalizing homes of activists.
The case named District Juba Dal president Sipar Al Bakhtiar as an accused. Police has so far arrested 20 people in this connection.
In Dhunot upazila under Bogra 5 constituency, ruling party supporters allegedly took over a BNP’s camp office and are campaigning from there.
In Tangail, three election offices of Awami League were vandalized and set on fire while one BNP office was also set on fire.
Around 50-60 supporters of BNP’s Natore 3 constituency nominee sustained injuries from an attack by Awami League candidate Zunaid Ahmed Palak’s supporters, claimed BNP candidate Daudar Mahmood.
He also alleged that the administration is working in favour of the ruling party candidate.
Singra police OC Monirul Islam said the administration is trying its best to ensure level playing field.
BNP candidates claim police harassment
BNP candidate from Comilla 3 constituency KM Mujibul Haque yesterday demanded withdrawal of the officers-in-charge of Muradnagar police and Bangra police, claiming that they are carrying out indiscriminate arrests against BNP leaders and activists.
He claimed that four cases accusing about 200 BNP leaders and activists were filed with these two stations in the last two days and 20 people were arrested.
On the other hand, Cox’s Bazar 4 BNP candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury claimed that cases are being filed randomly and arrest of BNP activists is ongoing under leadership of local lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi and the Teknaf Police Station officer in charge Pradip Kumer.
He alleged that police is visiting houses and threatening BNP men to leave the areas making it difficult for the party to continue electioneering.
In Jessore 1, BNP candidate Mofikul Hasan Tripti claimed that there is no level playing field because of police harassment and threats from ruling party men.
Five cases were filed accusing 150 people since day of election schedule announcement, he said at a press meet yesterday.
“A case was filed accusing 34 leaders today (Friday) targeting those who leads the party in union levels,” he claimed.
In Narshingdi, BNP nominated candidates of five constituencies came together at a press conference and claimed that their campaigns are coming under attack frequently.
Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP candidate for Narsingdi 2, said the Election Commission is not taking any action despite complaints.
Meanwhile, Narsingdi Detective Branch officials allegedly arrested 10 activists after they came out from the press conference, however no police official commented on the matter.
Internal conflict
Jatiya Party candidate Johirul Islam Rubel from Manikganj 3 constituency alleged that the ruling party men are barring his party activists from campaigning, even though his party is a member of the Grand Alliance led by Awami League.
In Ashulia, local Jubo League activists led by Kabir Sarker allegedly attacked Awami League leader Mosharraf Hossain Musa during the election campaign of party candidate Enamur Rahman for Dhaka 19.
Musa, from Yarpur union of Ashulia, was taken to Uttara Crescent Hospital.
Ashulia police station Officer-in-Charge (investigation) Javed Masud said a team was sent to the area following verbal complaint and they are trying to arrest the people behind the attack.
