Dupchanchia Correspondent :Most of the leaders as well as activists of BNP-led 20-party alliance here in Dupchanchia upazila of Bogra district have been absent themselves from the political ground from last weak as a case has been lodged against president of upazila BNP party man Abdul Hamid and others 10 person by sub-inspector Abdur Razzak. Police said that they, who have been accused of torching truck on the way of co office bus stand on Wednesday, have gone into hiding to evade arrest after police filed two separate cases accusing around 50 leaders and activists. The top brass of the BNP-led alliance were hardly seen on the streets amid the ongoing countrywide blockade programme for the arrest fear. Even they were not seen on the streets in Dupchanchia area during the dawn-to-dusk hartal on January 15. The party insiders said most of the 20-party alliance leaders in Dupchanchia were not staying in their houses. Some of them have already left the area to avoid being caught by the police. While visiting the office of the town, the correspondent of New Nation found the office under lock and key and not a single leader and activist was found there. The activists of the BNP cannot communicate with their senior leaders as their cell phones remained switched off soon after torching the loaded truck on Wednesday. The president of BNP Abdul Hamid said party members in the upazila opted to retreat from protest programme for the time being due to some strategic reasons. “We will wage movement and take to the streets again with renewed strength to topple the government,” he added. Of the top leaders, police have so far arrested around 5 persons including sadar union president Masud Marvece from the spot soon after the clash while the rest are on the run. Officer-in-charge of the police station said “We are trying to nab the accused leaders and activists of BNP-Jamaat. Many of the accused went into hiding,” “All the police members of the police station have intensified their drives to nab the accused leaders and activists who are now eluding arrest,” added the OC. Police super Mozammel Haque PPM said “We gave conditional permission to the BNP-led alliance for holding rally. The organisers promised us that they will not engage in any subversive activity in the name of the rally.” “However, they broke their promise and engaged in a clash with the law enforcers. So we are now left with the option of going for hard-line,” said the police officer.
