Leaders and activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday accused the party’s lawmaker from Naogaon-4 constituency (Manda), Ekramul Bari Tipu, of abducting and torturing party members at his private residence, which they alleged was being used as a ‘torture cell’.
The allegations were made at a press conference in the afternoon held at a community centre in the Mukti Mor area of Naogaon town.
Manda upazila BNP general secretary Shafiqul Islam Chowdhury Babul and joint general secretary Belal Hossain Khan read out a written statement alleging that BNP office secretary Abul Kalam Azad was picked up from the Prosadpur Bazar area on Sunday by a group led by the lawmaker’s associates and personal assistant, Mohammad Ali.
According to the statement, Azad was taken to the lawmaker’s residence, where he was allegedly assaulted in the basement and threatened with death if he continued political activities with the BNP in the upazila.
He was later left injured on the roadside and rescued by locals before being taken to hospital, the leaders said.
Shafiqul Islam also alleged that another party leader, organisational secretary Shamsul Islam Badal, was assaulted and seriously injured when he went to meet the lawmaker on a courtesy visit.
He claimed that the incidents reflected a pattern of intimidation aimed at suppressing dissent within the party and establishing personal control in the area.
He further alleged that since being elected, the lawmaker had sidelined long-standing BNP activists and maintained both covert and overt links with leaders of the Awami League.
Belal Hossain Khan also accused the lawmaker of extortion, irregularities in the distribution of government benefits, and using political influence and law enforcement pressures to grab land and water bodies.
He demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations and called for action against those responsible, urging BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to intervene.
Dozens of BNP leaders and activists were present at the press conference.
However, Ekramul Bari Tipu denied the allegations. ‘I do not have any PS or APS. As the parliamentary session is ongoing, I have been in Dhaka with my spouse for the past few days,’ he said.
He urged law enforcement agencies to investigate whether any such activities were taking place at his residence.
He also said that previous allegations involving Abul Kalam Azad should be verified, and added that if any party leaders or activists were found involved in the incident, organisational action could be taken.
