BNP protest in Tongi after stopping Prime Minister’s convoy

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

BNP leaders and activists blocked the Prime Minister’s convoy in Tongi, Gazipur and staged a protest demanding the release of their party leader Nurul Islam Sarkar.

The incident took place on Tuesday morning (14 April) on the elevated road adjacent to the BRT project near Station Road in Tongi. On this day, the Prime Minister had set out for Tangail to inaugurate the pilot implementation of an “Agricultural Card” program and an agriculture fair.

Eyewitnesses said BNP and its affiliated organizations’ leaders and activists gathered on both sides of the elevated road holding banners and placards since morning. When the Prime Minister’s convoy reached the area, they began chanting slogans and at one point blocked the movement of the convoy and staged a protest.

The program was led by BNP central leader and freedom fighter Hasan Uddin Sarkar. He alleged that Nurul Islam Sarkar has been unjustly imprisoned for a long time and demanded his unconditional release.

Leaders from various levels of BNP were present at the scene, including Government Shahnoor Islam Rony, Dulal Hossain, Nabin Hossain, Manik Mia, Shahin Mia, Habibur Rahman Mitun, Faruk Hossain, Azizul Haque, Rafiqul Islam, and many others.

It is noted that in a case filed over the murder of former MP Ahsanullah Master on 7 May 2004, Nurul Islam Sarkar was named as an accused and was arrested the same year. Later, the High Court upheld the death sentence of several accused in the case and gave varying sentences to others. The case is currently pending in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.