BNP candidate Hafeez Ibrahim from Bhola-2 (Borhanuddin-Doulatkhan) constituency has confined himself to his house in Borhanuddin upazila headquarters from December 17 as Awami League men are keeping watch on him round the clock. 

Hafeez, elder brother of convicted businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, returned to his area on December 16, 10 years after staying in Dhaka.

If anyone entered or left the house, he or she was beaten by the supporters of AL candidate Md Ali Azom Mukul, alleged Hafeez, also the former lawmaker from the constituency, adding that his house is 20 metres from Mukul's.

“I don't go outside to avoid any clash with my opponent group so that they cannot file any new case against me,” he said. 

On Friday, this correspondent stood in front of Hafeez's house for four hours, but none was seen entering or leaving there. Some men were seen inside the house guarding the BNP candidate.

Hafeez said he has to collect food and medicine in different ways due to the situation.

Recently, AL men tortured his five personal staff and handed them over to police when they left the house, said Hafeez.

Ashim Kumar Saha, officer-in-charge of Borhanuddin Police Station, said they did not get any complaint of torturing any staff of Hafeez.

“I cannot go outside fearing attack,” said Hafeez, adding that he filed several written complaints to the returning officer but to no effect. 

Refuting the allegation of keeping watch on the house, AL candidate Mukul said Hafeez confined himself.

“We never attacked Hafeez or his men; rather his men attacked us and vandalised our motorbikes recently,” said Mukul.

This self confinement is his technique to earn people's sympathy, said Mukul. 

 “My house was vandalised and torched and I along with my parents was severely tortured by Hafeez's men after the national election in 2001,” said Abdul Khaleque, AL supporter of Kutba village in Borhanuddin upazila.

Hafeez's men severed his hand after the election, said Bablu, a resident of Manika village in the upazila.

 “I never tortured anyone in my constituency,” said Hafeez.

Md Masud Alam Siddique, returning officer of Bhola, said they told Hafeez several times to come out from his house as they have deployed some police personnel at his house. If he conducts campaign in the area, police will ensure his security.