02:34 PM, December 12, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 07:49 PM, December 12, 2018

BNP seeks campaign security from police

Alleging that BNP is facing bar to election campaigning, the party has sought security from police to conduct electioneering safely for the next 18 days.

BNP Vice Chairman Selima Rahman led a delegation to meet Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwary and sought assistance this afternoon.

Afterwards, Selima told reporters she requested the police chief to ensure security and safety of her party men during the run-up to elections on December 30.

“Our leaders are being arrested. Those who were on bail are also being arrested for old cases” Selima said. “Elsewhere, our leaders are attacked and their campaigns foiled.”

She said, the police chief listened to the complaints with attention and assured of security and safety of the campaigners in the future.

'CEC embarrassed due to helplessness'

BNP Vice Chairman Selima Rahman said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda is feeling embarrassed due to his helplessness.

"We think CEC is truly embarrassed because the EC cannot exercise its power," she said while briefing the journalists after submitting a letter on behalf of her party to the commission this afternoon.

"If CEC takes actions the election would be acceptable to all," she added.

In the letter, BNP sought EC's interference for stopping attack and harassment inflicted upon BNP activists even after the start of election campaign.

WHY CEC IS EMBARRASSED?

Earlier in the morning, CEC KM Nurul Huda said in a briefing that, he is embarrassed over yesterday's attack on BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's motorcade in Thakurgaon and a clash in Noakhali where a Jubo League leader was killed.

WHO ATTACKED FAKHRUL?

Mirza Fakhrul's motorcade came under attack, allegedly by AL men, in Thakurgaon's Danarhat village when he went to his hometown on December 11, a day after the Election Commission opened the field for Election Campaign.

At least 10 people were hurt and four vehicles were damaged in the attack, according to BNP leaders.

Meanwhile, local AL leaders denied such allegations while talking to our correspondent.

OTHER CLASHES

After the polls campaign officially began on December10, clashes broke out in several districts, including Noakhali.

A local Jubo League leader was killed in a clash between the “activists of Awami League and BNP” in Noakhali Sadar upazila when the “BNP men” attacked at a procession of AL activists on December 11.

In Faridpur, Yusuf Bepari died after he was hurt in a scuffle with a BNP supporter following a heated debate over the election.

Clashes were also reported from  Faridpur, Manikganj, Bogura, Chuadanga and Natore yesterday.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

The 11th general election will be held on December 30. It was deferred once by the Election Commission upon demands from the opposition political parties.

 


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