Allegations of attacks and obstructions
26 November 2022
Staff Reporter :
BNP is going to hold its eighth rally in Cumilla city on Saturday with the allegation that their workers have been facing obstructions and attacks from the ruling party and law enforcers ahead of the congregation.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and workers were heading for Cumilla a number of days ago though this time the rally would be held free of transport strikes.
BNP has been expecting tens of thousands of people to attend the rally and it would be held peacefully.
Earlier, in a press conference held in Cumilla on Friday, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain alleged that the ruling Awami League and police are attacking BNP leaders and activists in Cumilla ahead of their rally.
"The life of BNP workers are being disrupted everyday here," he said, adding that the ruling party is cracking down on BNP activists in Cumilla for the last 10-12 days ahead of the rally.
"Policemen in plain clothes are searching the houses of BNP activists and trying to intimidate them. On 21 November, plain clothed police attacked and vandalised the residence of BNP Joint Convener Monir Ahmed. The house of Chandpur BNP General Secretary Salim Ullah Selim and the house of various leaders and activists were searched by police," he said.
The BNP leader also said that police are continuing searches and mass arrests in Hajiganj and Shahrasti upazilas on November 23.
On the other hand, the Jubo Dal, Swachhasebak Dal
and Chhatra Dal are also being targeted by the ruling party activists.
"Some 70-75 armed men led by the local Chairman Mizanur Rahman, Amjad and Rubel Master, supported by Awami League, broke the door of BNP leader Dr Nasir's house in Kasba upazila in Brahmanbaria district. They barged into the house and assaulted the female members of his family," he alleged.
BNP said the ruling party and the police are targeting BNP men in almost every upazila of the district.
"No matter how much they torture and oppress the people, no evil force will be able to suppress them tomorrow," he added.
He also said that the previous seven rallies had been largely peaceful despite obstacles. "I promise, Cumilla rally will be peaceful," he added.
BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, Comilla South District BNP convener and chief rally coordinator Haji Amin-ur-Rashid Yachin and BNP Cumilla Divisional Organising Secretary Mostak Mia also spoke at the press conference.
Meanwhile, hundreds of BNP leaders and workers had already reached to the venue Cumilla Town Hall premises to avoid any obstacles.
On Friday, BNP workers and other people said their Jumma prayers at the venue. There were also arrangements for meals for them who came from different Upazilas.
With processions in small units, they reached the venue and made the entire area full of their presence and slogans.
They claimed that over 15 thousand people had already reached the venue from different areas.
BNP is holding divisional public rallies to press home their demands, including immediate resignation of the government and holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the rally as the chief guest while its central and local leaders will be present.
BNP earlier held rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet and Rangpur cities. The next rally will be held in Rajshahi on Dec 3 and the final one will be held in the capital on December 10.
