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CITY CORPORATION ELECTI0NS 2018 : Barisal

BNP sees mass round-up of campaigners

Our Correspondent, Barisal
With the city corporation election around the corner, law enforcers in Barisai have started a mass round-up of BNP supporters and activists engaged in campaign.
At least 15 grassroots leaders and activists were arrested between Thursday midnight and 6:00pm yesterday, said BNP leaders. They were campaigning for BNP-led 20-party alliance may-oral candidate Mujibur Rahaman Sarwar.
Police also raided the houses of at least half a dozen BNP men. Besides this, four new cases were filed with three police stations - Airport, Kawnia and Kotwali - on Thursday. Over a hundred BNP men were accused in the cases relating to extortion and violence.
In one case filed with Kawnia Police Station, Awami League supporter Belal Mia accused 39 BNP men including Juba Dal President of Barisai city Parvez Akon Biplob and several Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders of “demanding extortion money from him", said Golam Kabir, subinspector of the station.
On Friday, police raided the houses of BNP campaigners Shahid and Jahid. Both live in the same area, Kawnia, as their candidate Sarwar.
Talking about the issue, Anowerul Haque Tarin, joint secretary of Barisai city BNP, said, "Our candidate lives in Kawnia and most of his supporters are there. That's why police are raiding Kawnia and its surrounding areas."
He claimed that 15 to 20 leaders and
supporters of BNP were arrested between Thursday night and early Friday.
"Many of our leaders left the campaign and went into hiding for the fear of arrest," he said, adding that police did not follow the High Court directive that they should not arrest any campaigner without specific allegations ahead of the July 30 polls.
"I informed it to the Election Commission and gave a copy of the High Court order. They assured me to sit with the law enforcers to discuss the issue and take necessary steps. ”
He alleged that the wholesale arrest was started to drive away BNP supporters from the city so that the party cannot have polling agents on the election day.
When asked, Assistant Returning Officer Helal Uddin said, "The returning officer informed police of the High Court order. I'm shocked seeing the arrests."
He said he would sit with the police commissioner and the divisional commissioner to know the reason of the arrests. "We're determined to conduct a peaceful election."
BNP aspirant Sarwar has already submitted written complaints about the arrest and harassment. He demanded a free and fair election atmosphere.
Talking to reporters yesterday, Sarwar said, “We suspect that the election here would be just like Gazipur and Khulna although the EC earlier assured that the situation during Gazipur and Khulna polls would not repeat in Barisal."
Sarwar also called upon the voters to cast their votes ignoring all kinds of obstacles and harassment.
AL mayoral candidate Serniabat Sadiq Abdulla made a similar call and said, "Barisal is now flooded with supporters of the 'boat' symbol. So, our victory is ensured."