Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 24 November 2018 protesting and condemning police’s continuous arrest drives in Dhaka-15 constituency and various other parts of the country even after the declaration of the election schedule.
“The people are suffering from severe panic and tensions as the polices are arresting the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir from Dhaka-15 constituency and various other parts of the country even after the declaration of the election schedule. The government is taking these initiatives to foil the election atmosphere. I am vehemently condemning such ill-steps.
Police is arresting general masses from Dhaka-15 constituencies, suspecting them as the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatrashibir and other opposition parties. Police have arrested several women and men from this area including Jahanara Begum, Halima Khatun, Taslima Khandakar, Abdul Mugni, Tawfique Hossen Prince, Wahidur Rahman Topon and Rafiqul Islam. No case or arrest warrant was served against these detainees before. Even though they have been arrested though the election commission clearly warned that no one can be arrested without any case or arrest warrant. On the contrary, the ruling party men are continuously campaigning violating the electoral codes frequently. So, the authority has failed to ensure level playing ground for all candidates. These incidents also proved that no congenial atmosphere has been created so far to hold a free, fair and credible election. It is a matter of fact that fair, inclusive and acceptable election is not possible under this government and its subservient election commission.
I am urging the election commission and the concerned authorities to stop arrest drives in Dhaka-15 constituency and other parts of the country and also to release all the detained leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir immediately.”