BNP Rally in Shariatpur Demands Release of Awami League Leader
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A faction of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists held a protest rally in Shariatpur demanding the release of a former Awami League leader who was recently arrested, sparking controversy within the local BNP unit.
The demonstration took place on Tuesday evening in the Goyatola Bazar area of Binodpur Union under Sadar upazila. It was organized by a section of local BNP leaders and activists from the union level.
A 40-second video circulating on social media shows BNP activists chanting slogans demanding the release of Asaduzzaman Liton Munshi, a former Awami League leader.
Police said Liton, former general secretary of the Binodpur Union Awami League, was arrested on Monday following a tip-off.
Officer-in-Charge Md. Shah Alam of Palong Model Police Station said Liton and his associates have been accused in a case involving clandestine political gatherings near the Padma Bridge area and alleged anti-government activities.
Attempts to reach BNP activists involved in the rally for comments were unsuccessful.
Imran Al Nazir, former convener of the anti-discrimination student movement in Shariatpur, criticized the rally, saying it goes against public expectations for political accountability.
However, Binodpur Union BNP General Secretary Shahin Madbor denied any official involvement of the party in the protest.
“This was not a BNP program,” he said. “A group of individuals from Ward No. 8 organized this with the intent to create controversy. We will discuss the matter with district leaders and take necessary steps.”
