Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 27th October 2023 protesting and condemning the nationwide arrest drives of the law enforcers against the party leaders and activists in a bid to foil the pre-declared grand rally of Jamaat-e-Islami on 28th October in the capital.
“The government is trying to frighten the people with an ill-intention of foiling the pre-declared grand rally of Jamaat-e-Islami on 28th October in the capital. In the name of surveillance, the police are plying on the pickup, making whistle and causing panic. Raids are being carried out repeatedly in the houses, offices and business institutions of Jamaat leaders and activists. Domestic furniture and other accessories are being vandalized. The family members including the women and the kids are not spared from the harassment of the law enforcers. People are living here and there to escape from such repression as it a war-like situation in prevailing in the country.
Since last 23rd October, the law enforcers have arrested several hundred leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir from various places of the country. Police have arrested Naogaon district’s Dhamoirhat Upazila’s Alampur union’s former chairman and Upazila Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Ataur Rahman, 24 Jamaat men from Satkhira, 9 from Comilla, 2 from Kishorganj, 3 from a mess of Jameya Kasemia Madrasa in Narsingdi, one from Pabna, 9 activists were re-arrested from the jailgate of Bagerhat, 3 from Sylhet, 2 from Rangpur, 4 from Dinajpur, 6 from Rajshahi, 3 from Naogaon including district Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Maulana Abdul Mukim, 4 Chhatrashibir activists from Narayanganj, 3 from Faridpur including Sadar Upazila Ameer, one from Tangail, one from Laxmipur, Sher-e-Bangla thana Sramik Kollan President Abdus Salam and many others in last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, ruling party hooligans stabbed Nator district’s Noldanga Upazila Jamaat secretary Dr. Fazlur Rahman and made him injured critically. Some miscreants vandalized the house of Narshingdi district Jamaat’s assistant secretary Professor Maqbul Hossain on 26th October. Again at 11 pm at night, some 40/50 goons of ruling Awami League attacked the house of Monohordi Upazila’s Khidirpur union president Dr. Iqbal Hossain and also made him injured in front of the police forces. His motorcycles and other furniture were vandalized at that time as well.
He stated that the repression and torture of the incumbent Awami League government has crossed all limit. They are pushing the nation toward a dangerous situation. They have turned the nation into a giant prison by arresting the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition parties indiscriminately. I am vehemently condemning all torture and repressive activities of this fascist government.
Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic Islamic political party. It is the constitutional right of a party to hold meeting and procession. No one has the right to deprive a party from availing such rights. But Awami League do not believe in democracy. They want to subdue the dissident voice. The countrymen have no confidence upon this government. I am urging the countrymen to raise voices against the undemocratic activities of the government.
I am calling upon the government to stop and torture at once and also to release all detained leaders of Jamaat and Islami Chhatrashibir including Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman immediately. Besides, I am urging the Jamaat men and the countrymen not to be entrapped by the provocation, undemocratic and unconstitutional activities of the government.
