CEC says raid on Comilla 'terror den' can wait for polls, advises voters not to panic

The raid on a 'militant hideout' in Comilla can be put on hold for the city corporation polls slated for Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has said.

The Comilla City dwellers are currently witnessing police laying siege to a suspected militant hideout at Kotbarhi.

The CEC has requested the voters not to panic, saying that necessary security preparations were taken for the polls.

Quoting law enforcers, he said that if necessary, the raid would be put on hold and resume after the end of voting.

Two recent anti-terror drives marked by gunfire and bomb explosions have resulted into anxiety among residents of Sylhet and Chittagong.

On Mar 16, police cordoned off a terror den at Chittagong’s Sitakunda and started final assault the next morning. Residents in that area passed the night hearing sounds of explosions and gunfire.

Two consecutive bomb blasts killed six people, including two police officials, near a militant hideout at Sylhet’s South Surma during an army raid which ended on Tuesday after almost five days.

The anti-terror raid in Comilla’s Kotbarhi started on Wednesday, the day before Comilla City Corporation elections.

“We suspect a few militants are holed up inside the house and they have powerful explosives with them,” Comilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Shah Md Abid Hossain has said.

CEC Nurul Huda, after consulting the law enforcers, told bdnews24.com: “The polls will not be hindered. Voters’ security will be ensured.”

"Police have informed me that they will suspend the raid whenever necessary,” the CEC added.

Kotbarhi falls under Comilla City Corporation’s ward-24 and is located at one corner of the city.

The Bagmara Gondhomoti Government Primary School, situated near the area, has been set up as a polling station.

More than 2000 voters are enlisted at the centre for female.