Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former Member of Parliament, Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement today, Wednesday, 21 January, strongly condemning and protesting the incident in which activists of the party’s Women’s Wing were confined and harassed during a program in Mirpur’s Pirerbagh area, and subsequently local Jamaat and Islami Chhatrashibir activists were attacked.

In the statement, he said, “A meeting of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Women’s Wing was taking place at a house adjacent to Alimuddin High School in Pirerbagh, Mirpur. During this time, local BNP leaders and activists confined Jamaat women leaders inside the house from 3:00 pm until 7:30 pm. When Jamaat and Islami Chhatrashibir leaders and activists moved forward to rescue them, BNP terrorists launched attacks on them and confined several individuals inside a mosque. At least 16 people were injured in the attack. Later, with the assistance of the police and the army, those who were confined were rescued. The injured are currently receiving treatment at hospitals.”

Mia Golam Porwar stated, “We strongly condemn and protest this barbaric attack carried out by terrorists. With the aim of obstructing the election and creating panic among ordinary voters, women activists of Jamaat’s Women’s Wing were harassed and Jamaat–Shibir activists were attacked. We strongly demand that those terrorists involved be swiftly identified, arrested, and brought to justice.”

He further said, “We call upon the administration and the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field ahead of the election under a zero-tolerance policy, to arrest identified terrorists, to improve the country’s law and order situation, and to take strict measures to ensure the safety and security of the people.”

In the statement, he also said, “Dhaka-15 is the electoral constituency of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and there is a deliberate attempt to disrupt law and order and influence the election by using muscle power in a planned manner.

In order to protect the fundamental rights of the people, ensure a fair election, and re-establish democracy, we call upon the masses to remain united against all forms of intimidation and terrorism.”