Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu fears for his life and has demanded maximum security from the Election Commission (EC) ahead of the general election.
A letter signed by his aide Shahidul Haq Bhuiyan reached the EC on Wednesday.
Inu sought round-the-clock security as per the electoral code of conduct.
He wrote that the anti-Liberation War forces had targeted him since he took charge of the ministry on Sept 16 last year. He said his family, too, was feeling extremely insecure.
Miscreants had hurled improvised bombs at the minister’s residence on June 9 this year.
The attack came a day before the Jamaat-e-Islami was to enforce a shutdown across Bangladesh protesting against the jailing of three of its leaders by the war crimes tribunal for commenting on a sub-judice matter.
Inu had been ‘attacked’ by two men during a visit to London on Sept 9 this year.
Chief of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSad) and an aspirant from the Kushtia-2 constituency, he said there were enough reasons to believe that his life was under threat.
He requested the EC to arrange the maximum security for him and his family.
The letter mentioned the two attacks and an arson near Inu’s Kushtia residence.
A copy of the letter has been sent to the Inspector General of Police from the ministry. EC officials said they would discuss the matter at the Commission’s meeting.
In its amended code of conduct, the EC has categorised several persons including the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and ministers as ‘very important persons eligible for government facilities’.
They will not be able to use any of their facilities during their election campaigns.
The EC had said it would take measures if anyone sought ‘protection’ in connection with poll campaigns.
Bangladesh is scheduled to go to polls on Jan 5. Canvassing will start from Dec 14.
10 appeals accepted
Meanwhile, the EC held hearings on 60 appeals over candidature. Decisions on them will be given on Thursday, said the EC’s legal wing.
In the second phase of hearing on candidacy, 10 out of 30 appeals have been granted.
Nominations of 15 aspirants were cleared in the first phase.
Source: Bd news24
