20 injured in alleged BNP attack on independent candidate's motorcade

At least 20 people, including an independent candidate, were injured in an alleged attack by supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on the motorcade of an independent candidate during election campaigning in the Chandpur-4 constituency on Thursday, February 5.

The incidents took place between Thursday afternoon and night in the constituency. 

Eyewitnesses said that tensions first escalated in the Hogli area when a procession passed near a campaign meeting of the independent candidate. Later, further attacks were reported near Sholdhana Government Primary School in Gupti union, as well as in Khajuria and Rupsa bazar.

Assistant Returning Officer Setu Kumar Barua said that law-enforcement agencies, including army, police, and BGB, were deployed in the areas to maintain law and order. 

Legal action would be taken against those found involved if any party submitted a written complaint, he added.

Independent candidate MA Hannan alleged that supporters of the BNP-backed “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol carried out four separate attacks on his campaign convoy and assaulted his supporters with bricks and stones in the Sholdhana area.

He urged authorities to arrest those responsible within 24 hours.

Denying the allegation, BNP-nominated candidate Harunur Rashid said the claims brought against his supporters were false and baseless. 

He alleged that supporters of the independent candidate had instead attacked his supporters, leaving at least 25 BNP leaders and activists injured.

Shariful Islam/MHK