Bauphal Jamaat raises allegations against BNP candidate 

BAUPHAL, PATUAKHALI, Jan 15: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Bauphal Upazila unit on Thursday held a press conference alleging violations of the electoral code of conduct, provocative remarks and violent activities by supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Shahidul Alam Talukder, and demanded the arrest of those it described as identified criminals.

The press conference was held at the Jamaat office in the upazila at around 12:00 noon, where Bauphal Upazila Jamaat Secretary Md Khalidur Rahman read out a written statement.

However, he alleged that provocative and defamatory statements by the BNP candidate, along with violent activities carried out by his followers, were severely disrupting the peaceful election environment.

At the press conference, Jamaat leaders claimed that party activists were attacked, threatened and obstructed from carrying out programmes in different areas of Bauphal, including Chandradwip. 

They also alleged incidents of extortion from shops, attacks and looting for refusing to pay extortion money, and even attempts to kill party activists.

The press conference further claimed that witnesses in cases related to such incidents were stabbed with intent to kill.

Among those present were Bauphal Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Ishaq, Patuakhali district Islami Chhatra Shibir President Rakibul Islam Noor, Bauphal Upazila Chhatra Shibir President Limon Hossain, Secretary Arif Hossain, Advocate Mujahidul Islam and Atikur Rahman Nazrul, among others.