Police harass BNP leaders to foil today's hartal

Chittagong City BNP President Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday alleged that police are arresting and harassing their leaders and activists in the port city to foil today's strike.
Over 100 people, including 50 leaders and activists, were arrested in false cases in last 48 hours, Khasru alleged at a press conference at his Mehedibagh residence in the afternoon.
He warned that his party would resist any attempt of the government to ply vehicles forcefully with the help of police and ruling party cadres in Chittagong during the hartal hours.
He said police raided the houses of around 100 BNP leaders and activists, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Jubo Dal, including Jubo Dal city unit President Abul Hashem Bakkar.
The arrested leaders and activists include Pahartali thana unit BNP Joint Secretary Jashim Uddin Zia, Halishahar unit BNP leader Mohammad Harun, Shaheed Lane unit Jubo Dal leaders Jahangir, Shahjahan, Momin, Ripon and Kamal, Andarkilla ward JCD leaders Jashim Uddin Sagar and Faruq, said a press release.
Khasru said they were arrested implicating them in false cases filed in connection with rampaging vehicles in front of the makeshift control room of Election Commission at MA Aziz Stadium on June 17 night.
BNP city unit General Secretary Shahadat Hossain, former whip Syed Wahidul Alam, Dastagir Chowdhury, female ward councillor Monwara Begum were present at the press conference.