Police have so far arrested more than 700 leaders and activists of the BNP in 48 cases in Chattogram city in the last 15 days over the mega rallies, hartals and blockades in Dhaka on October 28.

Of them, 340 were arrested in 16 cases in 11 police stations of the metropolis, 180 in 19 cases in different police stations under the north city and 180 in 13 cases in different police stations of the south of the city.

This information was given in a press release sent by the Chattogram Metropolitan BNP on Saturday evening.

According to the press release signed by Idris Ali, in-charge of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP office, Police have filed 16 cases against BNP leaders and activists in the city in 15 days. So far, 340 leaders and activists, including former vice-president Iqbal Chowdhury, have been arrested.

Four brothers of the same family were accused in the case filed with Sadarghat Police Station on Thursday night. Besides, police arrested 20 more BNP leaders and activists from Thursday evening to Saturday evening. A total of 340 activists, including 20, have been arrested so far, it said.

In these cases, Chattogram Metropolitan BNP member secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar, joint convener SK Huda Totan, Md. Shah Alam, convener committee members Abul Hashem, Manjur Alam Chowdhury Manju and Metropolitan Jubo Dal president Mosharraf Hossain Dipti have been accused.

Meanwhile, a total of 19 cases, including a case filed with Hathazari Police Station on Friday night, were filed with more than 210 people have been arrested. Around 180 activists have been arrested in 13 cases in the southern district.

Meanwhile, in a statement, BNP leaders in Chattogram strongly condemned the mass arrests, cases and anti-people behavior of the police over the peaceful blockade demanding the resignation of the government.

The leaders urged the people of Chattogram to observe the fourth round of blockade called by BNP, which began on Sunday morning, ignoring the mass arrests of the police.