BNP leaders and activists have been campaigning hard to ensure over "four lakh people" join the party's upcoming rally in Sylhet city.

Slated for November 19, the rally is to be held on the Aleya Madrasa ground in the city's Chowhatta area.

Party activists are leafleting the city neighbourhoods from morning to night. They have hung banners and festoons and pasted posters on the walls, while archways have also been erected.

Six sub-committees are working round the clock to organise the rally successfully.

Meanwhile, BNP leaders have alleged that police have been creating obstacles for them during campaigning.

On Saturday, the party's campaign at Gopalganj upazila was allegedly obstructed by police.

On Sunday afternoon, five BNP men, including Md Rubel Miah, president Moulvibazar district JCD, were arrested.

Abdul Quiyum Choudhury, president of the Sylhet district BNP and convener of the publicity and media sub-committee for the rally, said, "Our leaders and activists are being obstructed during peaceful campaigning. We strongly condemn the police excesses.

"The leaders arrested in Moulvibazar must be released immediately."

The DIG of Sylhet Range of police did not respond to

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