United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat’s candidate for the Kushtia-3 (Sadar) constituency and popular Islamic preacher Mufti Amir Hamza on Monday alleged that a large number of illegal weapons have entered the country through the border in recent days. “If these weapons are not recovered, the election will not be fair,” he said after a women’s rally at Jagati Dargatola School Ground in Kushtia Sadar Upazila. “Many illegal weapons have already entered through the border in the past few days. I have informed the administration that if these are not recovered, they could be used again. The election will not be fair,” he added. Read More: Defamation case filed against Amir Hamza in Jashore Amir Hamza said that girls can play an important role in the family through cottage industries and handicrafts. He also highlighted voter concerns, saying, “We have received and continue to receive a huge response from voters. Their demand is that we want work and security. We have promised them that we will create jobs and, in the future, try our best to eliminate threats to this country, including harassment through false cases. This will not continue in Bangladesh. We will stop grabbing and occupation, InshaAllah.” The Jamaat candidate further claimed that a level playing field has not yet been established, and mothers and sisters face obstacles in different areas. “We have a list of those threatening us and will submit it to the administration. To ensure a fair election, weapons must be recovered and threats controlled,” he said. Read More: IU Chhatra Dal leader files case against Mufti Amir Hamza over defamatory remarks Jamaat Central Shura Member Professor Farhad Hussain, Sadar Amir Enamul Haque, and leaders and activists from various district-level units of the party were present at the rally.

A defamation case has been filed in Jashore against Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated Kushtia-3 candidate Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Mehedi Hasan Zillu, a member of the convening committee of Jashore District Krishak Dal and a resident of Khadki in the city, filed the case on Wednesday afternoon, said plaintiff’s lawyer Advocate M A Gafur. Taking cognisance of the complaint, Jashore Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to probe the allegation and submit a report. Read More: IU Chhatra Dal leader files case against Mufti Amir Hamza over defamatory remarks According to the case statement, Amir Hamza made indecent and defamatory remarks about Arafat Rahman Koko while addressing a mahfil in Chattogram in 2023.   The plaintiff claimed the remarks tarnished the dignity of the deceased and brought dishonour to the Zia family, creating a negative public perception. The complainant said he came across a video of the statement online on January 17 while at the BNP office near Laldighi in Jashore and was deeply shocked by it. The plaintiff further claimed that the remarks hurt the sentiments of nationalist-minded people and caused defamation amounting to Tk 50 crore. Earlier, a similar defamation case was filed in Khulna against Mufti Amir Hamza over the same allegation by Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Society Central Joint General Secretary and Khulna Metropolitan President Md Jahirul Islam Bappi.