Manju alleges intimidation by AL men

BNP-backed mayor aspirant M Manjur Alam Manju yesterday alleged that the supporters of the pro-ruling party candidate were obstructing his campaign in different areas of Chittagong city and were threatening his people.

On a campaign trail in Dewanhat, he said the pro-Awami League men were trying to create an intimidating situation.

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On Wednesday, Chattagram Unnayan Andolon, the platform under which Manju is contesting in the April 28 city polls, lodged a complaint with the Election Commission that Manju's campaigners are not being allowed to hang posters in Sher Shah and Bayezid areas, and local goons are asking them not to campaign in the areas .

Earlier, BNP whip Wahidul Alam was assaulted by local AL men in Bangla Bazar, according to another complaint.   

AL-backed mayoral candidate AZM Nasir Uddin was not available for comments.

Addressing a rally in Motiarpul area, Manju said, "We want a peaceful, free and fair election amid a joyous environment. The Election Commission should create an environment where every candidate gets equal opportunity."

Riding a mini-truck, Manjur also campaigned in Choumohuni, Pathantuli, Mogoltuli and Dhaniala Para areas and pledged to establish a modern "garment village" at Kalurghat, promote the tourism industry, and take a project to generate electricity from waste. 

The immediate past mayor also said he had plans to turn the city into a modern one by continuing the development activities he initiated during his last tenure.

Manjur also announced to set up a city corporation medical college and construct a multi-storey building to house the poor living on risky hill slopes.

'ATTACKS'

The followers of pro-AL councillor candidate Mohammad Hossain Hiron in Ward 13 yesterday allegedly beat up the female campaigners of his rival Mohammad Mahfuzul Alam, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, in Wireless area around 12:00noon.

Mahfuzul's brother Mahbubul Alam claimed that five to six women including the wife of Mahfuzul were injured and took primary treatment.

In response to a complaint, the returning officer yesterday asked Khulshi police to take necessary steps within two working days against the supporters of Hiron.

Hiron did not take the calls of this correspondent.

Meanwhile, the Jamaat leader Mahfuzul's house was stoned by about a hundred supporters of Hiron around 6:00pm, Mahbub Alam told The Daily Star by phone.

He said he heard the incident while returning home after filing the complaint regarding the Wireless area attack.

Mahbub said his mother and kids were inside the house at the time.

Police chased away the attackers and fanned the area to prevent further attacks, said Khairul Zannat, wife of Mahfuzul.

Meanwhile, unidentified people set fire to the electoral office of pro-AL councillor candidate in Ward 21 Bijoy Kumar Chowdhury Kishan on Wednesday midnight.

In response to a complaint, the RO asked the Chittagong Metropolitan Police commissioner to take steps against the arsonists.

A rally and a silent procession were held in protest of the attack.

FREE CAMPAIGN, FREE VOTE

Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz yesterday directed the polling officials concerned to ensure that the candidates can conduct campaigns properly and voters can exercise their franchise without any hassles.

Briefing reporters at his office in the capital, he also said, "The allegation that a level-playing field was not created was not clear to us…. if anyone has allegations, he or she can file complaints with the returning officer."