DHAKA: Jatiya Oikyafront demanded immediate deployment of armed forces to put a stop to ‘police harassment, arrest and torture.’

The alliance leaders made the demand from Election Commission building on Thursday (December 13).

A team led by BNP Vice Chairman Selima Rahman went to put forward their demands before EC, but EC did not meet them, as the leaders claimed.

“EC said it would deploy armed forces on December 15. Then, it said on December 24, today it said no decision has been taken yet,” Mowajjem Hossen Alal, a leader of the alliance, said.

“As police are detaining, beating and arresting us, we want armed forces must be deployed right away,” Mowajjem Hossen Alal added.

Earlier in the day, EC held a meeting with all the armed forces and detective branches in a bid to set necessary security measures for 11th parliamentary elections.

Representatives from public administration department, home ministry, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), ansar, community police and coastguard were there.

Jatiya Oikyafront

The alliance was formed on October 13.         

Jatiya Oikyafront includes Dr Kamal Hossain-led Gano Forum, ASM Abdur Rab's Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya, Bangabir Kader Siddique-led Krishak Sramik Janata League, and BNP

Kader Siddique joined the alliance on November 5.

The alliance was formed with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

The alliance held rallies in Sylhet, Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi before announcement of final candidates.

BNP allocated 17 seats to Jatiya Oikyafront alliance partners, which are Gonoforum, Nagorik Oikya and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab), to contest in the upcoming 11th national election.

Gonoforum got 7 seats while Nagorik Oikya and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab) got 5 seats each.

BNP also allocated 5 seats among its 20-party alliance component Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The 11th national election is slated for December 30.

BDST: 2119 DEC 13, 2018

AH/SMS