AL men flout election rules

The officer-in-charge of Lohagara Police Station in Narail was made to apologise publicly to ruling Awami League activists, as police had intercepted and charged truncheons on an illegal AL motorcycle procession on Thursday.
Two sub-inspectors and a constable of the police station have also been withdrawn to please the aggrieved local AL activists.
Lawmakers of Narail-1 and 2 constituencies Kobirul Haque Mukti and Sheikh Hafizur Rahman were present when the OC apologised at a rally for discharging his duty.

On Thursday afternoon, defying instructions of the Election Commission (EC) AL men had brought out the procession of around 150 motorcycles to campaign for the party-backed chairman aspirant of the upazila Syed Faizul Amir Litu, also the organising secretary of the upazila's AL unit.
The EC had earlier banned movement of motorcycles in the upazila from Wednesday.
Meanwhile, on Thursday AL upazila unit had organised a rally to campaign for Litu at RL Pasa Government Primary School premises ahead of today's upazila polls.
The problem started when police led by sub-inspector Atiquzzaman intercepted the motorcycle procession in Mollarhat area. It was heading towards the rally venue from Naldi union around 5:00pm.
As the party men sped up ignoring the policemen, the law enforcers charged batons on the supporters leaving some of them slightly injured.
However, defying the EC instruction and police interception, the motor procession finally reached the rally ground.
Later, Doulat Ahmed Khan, president of the upazila AL unit, in the rally threatened the OC with driving him out of his station if he did not apologise.
A few minutes later, OC Alamgir Hossain rushed to the rally. On the loud speaker he said, "I am sorry for this incident."
He also assured the ruling party men of withdrawing the policemen "responsible" by talking to the superintendent of police of the district.
Hearing the OC, the AL men cheered and clapped.
OC Alamgir, however, stayed on the stage until the rally ended.
Lohagara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rebeca Khan, also the assistant returning officer, said the party men had violated the electoral code of conduct by bringing out the motor procession and holding the rally.