BNP upset over growing polls violence

Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday voiced frustration over the growing incidents of electoral violence across the country, even after the army deployment.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said their party leaders and activists were attacked by ruling party men and police in 28 constituencies, injuring over a hundred people, including 19 candidates, on Monday.

‘Yesterday (Monday) was the most violent day. Police and ruling party cadres attacked the rallies and campaigns in favour of Sheaf of Paddy at different parts of the country,’ he said.

The BNP leader further said, ‘The situation didn’t improve, even after the deployment of army.

We had expected that the situation would mark a substantial improvement with their deployment...we call upon the army to take steps for ensuring a peaceful election atmosphere.’

He alleged that the situation has turned so worse that police have started spraying bullets on opposition leaders and activists. ‘Police used to charge batons in the past and hardly used bullet, but now they are firing shots on the leaders and activists of Sheaf of Paddy’ instead of charging batons.’

The BNP candidates who came under attack on Monday include Moudud Ahmed in Noakhali, Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Annie in Lakshmipur, Abdul Moyeen Khan in Narsingdi, Hafizuddin Ahmed in Bhola, Miah Nuruddin Apu in Shariatpur, Sunsila Jabrin Priyanka in Sherpur and Akhtaruzzaman and Shariful Alam in Kishoreganj.

Rizvi said the ruling party men are gradually getting desperate, and taking preparations to ‘capture polling stations and rig votes’ in the December 30 general election.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net