Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 5th October 2023 protesting and condemning the unjust arrest of Nilphamari district’s Joldhaka Upazila Ameer Mokhlesur Rahman and Jamaat leader Hafez Mashiur Rahman.
“Police have unjustifiably arrested Nilphamari district’s Joldhaka Upazila Ameer Mokhlesur Rahman from his residence and Jamaat leader Hafez Mashiur Rahman while he was on the way to the Mosque. There was no arrest of warrant against them. Police have arrested them intentionally. I am condemning such unjust arrest drives of the police force.
As a part of the centrally declared programs, today 5th October was fixed for bringing out processions in all Thana and Upazilas demanding immediate release of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, other leaders and religious scholars, withdrawal of the false case, resignation of the government and for restoring the caretaker government system. Nilphamari district’s Joldhaka Upazila Jamaat also brought out a procession accordingly.
To foil the declared programs, police have been carrying out arrest drives and raids in the houses, offices and other working places of the Jamaat leaders and activists. The law enforcers also frightened their aged parents and children. They vandalized and ransacked their furniture, household accessories and other items. The entire nation has been turned into a big prison.
He said it is quite natural that the citizens of a democratic country would criticize the government in a systematic and peaceful way. Besides, it is the constitutional rights of a political party to hold processions and rallies. No one has the right to deprive a party from availing such rights. Awami League government do not believe in democracy, The tyrannical regime wants to subdue the dissident voices. The people have no trust and confidence upon this government. The countrymen have become aware now. I am urging the fellow people of the country to launch massive movement against the torture, arrest drives and undemocratic activities of the government.
I am calling upon the government to stop torture and harassment immediately and to release Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Mokhlesur Rahman and other detained leaders and religious scholars, to withdraw the false cases and to accept the demand of restoring caretaker government system.
