Police have detained a councillor candidate of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for reportedly brandishing a firearm during a faceoff between the supporters of two candidates.
Talukdar Sarwar Hossain, who is contesting with Kata Chamoch (fork spoon) symbol in ward no. 24, was detained from Nabisco morr area in Tejgaon around 2pm on Friday.
Confirming the incident, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Tejgaon division) Deputy Commissioner Biplob Bijoy Talukdar said that a tense situation was created as the supporters of two councillor candidates locked into an altercation after the Jummah prayers.
Suddenly, brandishing a gun, Talukdar Sarwar Hossain started threatening, he said.
As carrying weapons during campaign is an offence according to the election code of conduct, police detained Sarwar, he added.
According to locals, the supporters of Talukdar Sarwar Hossain had a confrontation with the supporters of Awami League nominated candidate Shafiullah, contesting with Thelagari (pushcart) symbol, creating a tense situation.
At one point, they clashed and Sarwar brandished a revolver, witnesses said.
Being informed, police rushed in and detained Sarwar along with a firearm and several rounds of bullets, said the police official.
However, the supporters of Sarwar claimed that Shafiullah’s supporters beat their candidate, but the opposition denied the allegation.