'Absconding' C'nawabganj BNP leader Papia returns

After remaining absent for 16 months, Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila BNP President Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia on Thursday arrived at her Pathanpara residence as party leaders and activists welcomed her with motorcade rallies.
Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia, president of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila BNP, remained absconding from the area after an extortion case was lodged against her on June 6 last year.
Chapainawabganj District and Session Judge's Court awarded her five years imprisonment in an extortion case on August 13 last year.
However, the High Court recently stayed proceedings of two cases against her.
As she arrived at Baliaghata, leaders and activists welcomed her and accompanied her to Pathanpara residence with motorcade rallies on the eight-kilometre road.
Addressing leaders and workers, Papia said cases lodged against her were false and baseless.
Conspiracy against BNP will not be successful, said Papya's husband district BNP secretary and former lawmaker Harunur Rashid Harun.
Leaders and activists belonging to a faction of pourasava and upazila BNP expressed dissatisfaction over her return, party insider said.
Asked about motorcade rally during the emergency, Superintendent of Police SM Mahfuzul Haque Md Nuruzzaman said police did not allow any motorcade rally in this town but if some people drive motor cycle in groups police has nothing to do.