LONDON: Pro-Awami League lawyers, living in the UK, lodged a complaint against BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman at the UK Home Office for ‘provoking’ violence in the British-Bangladeshi community.

The lawyers requested the authorities concerned “to take necessary actions against Tarique to prohibit him from his unlawful activities in breach of conditions of his leave in the UK under the Immigration Rules.”

Earlier, a delegation of the Awami Ainjibi Porishod UK led-by its president Barrister Mohiuddin Ahamed handed over a written complaint to George C Smith, an officer at Home Office, at the latter’s office at 12:30pm on Wednesday local time.

Receiving the letter, George C Smith assured the delegation of sending it to the authorities concerned. 

Citing Tarique a “symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh” the leaders alleged that he has been instigating violence in British-Bangladeshi community.

The complaint states; “More than half-a-million Bangladeshi live in the UK and about 65 percent of them live in London. Most of us (them) support Awami League, BNP or Jaamat-E-lslami (Bangladeshi political parties in the UK). His (Tarique) divisive speeches have encouraged the BNP and Jaamat activists to unite, provoke and attack AL activists and supporters everywhere in the UK which itself is an act of breaking peace.”

Tarique is “a sinister character and encouraged lots of heinous attacks on his political opponents in Bangladesh”, and “has started his non courteous and communal activities in the UK”, it added.

The applicant also attached several print copies related to violence with the compliant.

Tarique is carrying out “aggressive comments and activities” that “go beyond the scope of the freedom of expression and association.”

“If Tarique is allowed to continue engaging in such activities with impunity it would potentially damage the friendly relationship amongst Bangladeshi in the UK,” the lawyers said in written complaint.

They requested the UK Home Secretary “to take necessary actions against Tarique to prohibit him from his unlawful activities” and “to stop him from the activities that promote chaos, violence and unrest amongst Bangladeshi community in the UK.”

The delegation also includes Awami Ainjibi Porishod Uk general secretary Barrister Anukul Talukder Dalton, Barrister Shawgatul Anwar Khan, Advocate Hafizur Rahman, Barrister Enamul Huq and Advocate Momin Ali.

BDST: 1240 HRS, JAN 08, 2015