Dhaka : Fair elections are not possible without fundamental reforms in the country’s political and electoral systems, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said today (4 July).
Speaking to reporters at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari before attending a mass rally in Rangpur, the Jamaat leader said, “A truly neutral election cannot be held in the current political environment. That is why we are demanding fundamental reforms to create a proper electoral atmosphere.”
Referring to the recent violence in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram Police Station, Shafiqur stressed the need for political parties to act responsibly, especially in curbing political violence, reports UNB.
“First, parties must control their own activists. Only then can the state play its part in ensuring peace and stability,” he said.
According to media reports, a group of people attacked Patgram Police Station on Wednesday night and snatched two convicts. The police station was vandalised during the attack and at least eight policemen were injured.
Law enforcers allege that members of BNP and its affiliated wings — Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Krishak Dal — from the Hatibandha upazila intentionally blocked the Hatibandha Police Station to prevent reinforcement from reaching Patgram.
A heated exchange reportedly occurred between the police and the political activists, who held the law enforcement up for nearly 40 minutes before finally dispersing around midnight. Yesterday, Hatibandha police filed a case against 27 individuals for obstructing government duty and issuing threats.
Shafiqur also denounced the prevalence of mob culture in the country, saying, “Mob violence has been part of the country since 1972, but Jamaat has never supported it. Our party stands firmly against mob politics.”
Today’s mass rally marked the first large-scale Jamaat gathering in Rangpur in nearly 17 years.
Thousands of supporters and activists gathered at the Rangpur Zilla School field, with the crowd spilling over into adjacent streets.
During the rally, Jamaat announced its candidates for all 33 parliamentary constituencies in the Rangpur division.
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