'Barisal AL leader harassed on political ground'

The AL leader is the General Secretary of Ward No 11 unit of Barisal city Awami League, Rafiqul Islam Rab.

Rab's brother Bazlur Rahman read out a press statement alleging that his brother had been arrested by Kotwali police on the basis of a 'fake' warrant of a life term fugitive convict.

The press statement said that Rab had been arrested in Case No 24 of 2001 of Jana Nirapatta Tribunal Dhaka under Section 9 of Public Safety Act which originated from Case No 12(2)/2001 of Sbujbagh Police Station, Dhaka.

However, on inquiry in both the Jana Nirapatta Tribunal in Dhaka and Sabujbagh Police Station, Bazlur could not find existence of such case against his brother. He even found that his brother was not at all a convict in any case. On further inquiry, he came to know that the concerned tribunal also did not issue any warrant against his brother, he disclosed.

Bazlur further alleged that police ransacked their house when they could not find him and his brother Rab on February 25 night.

However, police arrested Rab the next morning, he said.

ÊBazlur showed a photocopy of an order passed by the tribunal judge to reporters where it was stated that Rab was not an accused in the case and no warrant was issued against him.

ÊBoth Bazlur and Rab alleged that they had been victimised due to political reason.

In reply to queries by newsmen, Bazlur said they would take shelter of law for redress.

They expressed apprehension that they might be victimised in future in a similar a way.

Prominent Awami League leaders Shawkat Hossain Hiron, advocate Yunus, advocate Anisuddin Shahid and Syed Anis were present in the press conference.