Jamaat-e-Islami brought out processions across the country yesterday in violation of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) to protest the jailing of three leaders of Jamaat and BNP.

The protests took place after a trial court in Dhaka sent Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, former finance minister M Saifur Rahman and Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid to jail after they surrendered before the court in the morning.

Thousands of Jamaat leaders, activists and followers took to the

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demonstrations and protest rallies across the country from today till Thursday and offering Doa' (prayers) on Friday. And on November 16, the party will submit memorandum to the Chief Adviser's Office in Dhaka and deputy commissioners' offices in districts.'

Nizami, Mojahid and former finance minister Saifur Rahman were sent to jail when they turned up in court in connection with Barapukuria coalmine corruption

The action showed there is a conspiracy to keep the four-party out of the polls race, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Mohammad Kamaruzzaman said at an impromptu press conference at the party central office at the city's Moghbazar.

"Although the charge sheet against the top leader of a political party has been withdrawn, Khaleda 2Lia (BNP chief) and nine others are being harassed in Barapukuria case," he said.

“This proves the government is favouring a certain political party, and is behaving like step-mother with another party. And today's (yesterday's) incident clearly showed it (government) wants to install a particular party in power."

The Jamaat leader said it now appears that the government is not sincere about holding the December 18 election.

BNPCONDEMNS

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain last night condemned sending BNP and Jamaat leaders to jail and said it was intended to keep the four-party away from elections.

He announced a countrywide programme of holding rallies to realise the party's seven-point demand and to get the alliance leaders freed.

Delwar was briefing reporters following a meeting of the four-party at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.

Chaired by Khaleda Zia the meeting was attended by. among others, alliance leaders Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Shamim Al Mamun, Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, ATM Azharul Islam. Abdul Latif Nezami and ATM