AL men have been trying to foil Barishal rally: BNP
Just two days ahead of the Barishal rally, the BNP has alleged that its leaders and activists have been coming under attack in phases by ruling Awami League men.
Along with the road transport strikes reportedly backed by the ruling party, such attacks and intimidation by AL men appear to be another major obstacle for them to make Saturday's rally a success, BNP leaders claimed, adding that AL men are trying to intimidate people into not joining the rally.
Selima Rahman, a BNP standing committee member and the chief coordinator of the rally, "The activities of the Awami League men over the last few days proved that their next target is to foil the BNP's November 5 rally in Barishal."
She came up with the claim while addressing a press conference at Barishal press club's conference room today.
BNP men came under attacks by AL men in around four to five places in Barishal district over the last three days, Mir Jahidul Kabir, member secretary of Barishal city BNP, told The Daily Star.
"These attacks, in which at least 25 BNP men were injured, were launched at Ujirpur, Bakerganj, Banaripara and Barishal city while our partymen were campaigning for the rally and distributing leaflets."
Mahmud Hossain, former general secretary of Banaripara upazila BNP, said, "Around 10 of our party men and I were injured as Awami League and Jubo League men attacked us while we were distributing leaflets yesterday [Tuesday]."
BNP men in adjoining districts also came under attacks, they alleged.
Sehangshu Kumar Sarker, president of Patuakhali BNP, said, "Two of our party activists were physically assaulted by Awami League men at the town's Sadar Road yesterday [Tuesday]."
Harun-ur-Rashid, general secretary of Bhola BNP, said, "Awami League men are threatening our party's grassroots activists for not joining the rally."
Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, BNP's Joint secretary general, said, "We are determined to make our Barishal rally a success, despite the attacks and obstructions by ruling party men. Thousands of people will join our programme."
Contacted, AKM Zahangir, Barishal city AL president, however, denied the allegations of attacks and said, "Awami League is not too worried about BNP's rally."