Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, led by its Feni-3 constituency candidate Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik, laid a siege to Daganbhuiyan Police Station on Tuesday night, alleging bias by the officer-in-charge and demanding his withdrawal.

The protest followed a police raid at the house of Jamaat supporter and former headmaster of Ataturk School, master Abdur Rahim, based on a tip-off that ballot papers were stored there.

Police, however, found no evidence to support the allegation.

Claiming the drive was ‘motivated’ and conducted to harass Jamaat activists, party leaders staged demonstrations in front of the police station and demanded the withdrawal of OC Muhammad Faizul Azim and sub-inspector Balaram.

As tensions mounted, senior police officials, Jamaat leaders and local dignitaries held discussions at the station premises, bringing the situation under control.

District Jamaat ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan alleged that the OC carried out the raid in coordination with BNP activists to implement a political agenda and influence the election.

He also claimed the OC held meetings with BNP leaders, allegations that could not be independently verified.

Efforts to contact Daganbhuiyan BNP convener Akbar Hossain for comment were unsuccessful.

Senior assistant superintendent of police (Sonagazi and Daganbhuiyan Circle) Syed Mumid Raihan said police conducted the raid based on confidential information, which later proved to be incorrect.

If anyone feels aggrieved due to the operation, I apologise, he said, adding that an additional superintendent of police from Chandpur joined duty in Daganbhuiyan on Wednesday to ensure neutrality in the election process.

Police expressed the hope that, with cooperation from all sides, a free and fair election could be ensured.