Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman has issued the following statement on 20 December 2018 protesting and condemning the unjust arrest of Natore district Jamaat Ameer Professor Belaluzzaman by some so-called DB policemen and the subsequent incident of assault and similar unjustified arrest of Pabna district Jamaat’s women wing secretary Shamsiara along with 6 other female activists.

“The arrest incidents of Natore district Jamaat Ameer Professor Belaluzzaman by some so-called DB policemen and the subsequent incident of assaulting him and the unjustified arrest of Pabna district Jamaat’s women wing secretary Shamsiara along with 6 other female activists proved that there is no congenial atmosphere in the country to hold a free, fair and credible election. I am vehemently protesting and condemning the incidents.

Some plain-cloth dressed men, claiming themselves as DB police has picked up Natore district Jamaat Ameer Professor Belaluzzaman from his house, located in Singra Upazila in a microbus. After taking him in an isolated place, they beat him brutally by using iron rod and hammer. His ankle and several bones have been broken. They left him alone in that place. Following a severe bleeding, he is admitted into a hospital in a critical condition.

Several women activists of Pabna district led by district unit women wing secretary Shamsiara started electoral campaign this afternoon. Local union chairman and ruling party leader cordoned and handed them over to the police forces. Police also filed a false case against them and subsequently produced them before the court. The ruling party men are not allowing Jamaat men to conduct electioneering and the law enforcers are helping them in this regard. These incidents proved that the incumbent fascist government and their law enforcement agencies are not inclined to hold a free, fair and credible poll. They have panned to stage a farcical election once again. The election commission is also assisting the government to implement this ill-conspiracy. I am calling upon the countrymen to stand against such ill-plots of the government and the election commission.

I am urging the concerned authorities to take legal action against those miscreants who were involved with the incidents of assaulting Professor Belaluzzaman. I am also calling upon them to stop harassment, arrest drives and crackdown and to release all the detained leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatrashibir and other opposition parties immediately.”