Faridpur rally: BNP alleges cops arresting party men

BNP leaders have alleged that law enforcers have been raiding the houses of party workers ahead of their November 12 rally in Faridpur city.

They added that their activists are also being arrested.

"They [police] have been arresting BNP leaders and activists saying they have warrants to do so," AZM Zahid Hossain, vice-chairman of the party, told a press conference organised by Faridpur district and city BNP at the district press club yesterday. 

He claimed that some "biased police officials" have started arresting the party leaders and workers, citing old cases, just ahead of the rally.

"Seven people have already been arrested in Faridpur's Nagarkanda area. Last night [Tuesday], some police officials even abused a woman in the name of a raid.

"Everyone has the right to do politics. It's the administration's responsibility to ensure that everyone can organise political events without trouble."

As part of its divisional rallies, the BNP will hold a rally in the Abdul Aziz Institute ground in Komarpur of Faridpur on Saturday.

The ruling Awami League, meanwhile, has planned to hold a rally just the day before.

The BNP leader further said the arrests and harassment will not be able to stop the party from holding a successful rally, adding that apart from the five districts of Faridpur, people from Kushtia, Jashore, Manikganj and Munshiganj will also join the programme on Saturday.  

 Contacted, Sumon Ranjan Sarkar, additional superintendent of police in Faridpur, said, "The BNP's allegations are baseless. Police officials are only doing their routine work."