Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan has issued the following statement on 23rd July, 2018 protesting and condemning the unjust arrest of Rajshahi city Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Mainul Islam on last 22nd July.
Ï am vehemently protesting the unjustified arrest of Rajshahi city Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Mainul Islam. We have been observing with great concern that the torture, repression and arrest drive of the policemen have been increasing as the scheduled date of election is approaching.
Police already arrested almost all the prominent leaders of Rajshahi city Jamaat. Similar kinds of arrest drives are also going on Sylhet and Barisal too. This crackdown indicates that the government is not interested to hold a free, fair and credible election in three city corporations. In all the electoral areas, local administration, law enforcers and the ruling party men have jointly carrying out efforts to ensure the victory of the ruling party candidates. A situation of panic has been created in these 3 city corporations. Opposition candidates and man powers particularly the Jamaat activists are not allowed to conduct electoral campaign. While the ruling party backed candidates have been violating the electoral rules and code of conducts frequently under the backing of the administration.
The government and its subservient election commission is not paying heed to these irregularities. This election commission is not capable to hold a free, fair and credible election at all.
I am urging the concerned authorities to stop the misuse and power abuse by the administration and the law enforcers and to release all the detained opposition leaders and activists, particularly the men of Jamaat-e-Islami immediately in order to create a congenial atmosphere for holding a free and fair election.
