Defeated candidates announce agitation programme
Defeated chairman candidate Syed Mohsin Ali, president of district Awami League and CPB central leader Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed have been made convenor and member secretary respectively of the committee formed Sunday night.
The four other defeated chairman candidates are its members. They are Al-haj Mahmudur Rahman (Independent), Abu Yahya Mujaheed (Nagorik Committee), Syed Headayetullah Belal (Independent) and Hamidur Rahman Mukul (Independent).
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. District unit presidents and general secretaries of all political parties except components of the Four Party Alliance are included in the committee as members.
A dawn-to-dusk hartal was observed in the town yesterday at the call of the defeated chairman candidates to protest alleged rigging.
Transports expect rickshaws remained off the roads and business establishments were closed during the hartal.
The agitation programmes begin today.
The programmes include observance of 'black day' and hoisting of black flags atop houses today, launch of a mass signature campaign from today, a human chain at Moulvibazar and demonstrations in all upazilas in the district tomorrow, special prayers and exchange-of-view meetings on May 14, processions in Moulvibazar town on May 15 and a public meeting in the town on May 16.
Fresh programmes will be announced at the public meeting, sources at the committee said.
Police, armed police and BDR have been deployed in different points of the town to maintain law and order.
Moulvibazar municipality election was held on May 8. Five out of six chairman candidates and most of commissioner candidates have rejected the election results, alleging "massive rigging by the ruling party in cooperation with the administration". They have demanded fresh election.
Meanwhile the Returning Officer has unofficially declared Fayzul Karim Mayun elected chairman of Moulvibazar municipality. Mayun is district BNP general secretary.
The administration says the election was free and fair.
Mayun and his supporters brought out a big victory procession in the town yesterday. It paraded the main streets of the town.