Supporters of the Awami League candidate in Pirojpur-1, Fisheries Minister SM Rezaul Karim, and an independent candidate clashed at Kadamtala market in Pirojpur Sadar upazila on Sunday afternoon.
Toukir Mujib Abir, the son of independent candidate AKMA Awal's brother and former organizing secretary of Pirojpur Chhatra League, said: “My brother Tanvir Mujib Obhi, former general secretary of district Chhatra League, was returning to Pirojpur from Sikdar Mallik Union with other leaders.”
“At that time, two motorcycles carrying Obhi came a little ahead. Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Bayezid Hossain and his men, who were coming from the east in Kadamtala, attacked them with sharp weapons. Roni, who was with Obhi, hacked one of the men and seriously injured him. At that time, the attackers beat and injured Obhi and Samara Chakraborty, who was with him,” he added.
After receiving the information, Obhi's associates went to the spot, and the attackers fled. Following the incident, three injured persons, including Obhi, were rescued and taken to Pirojpur Sadar Hospital. Two of the injured have been sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment after receiving first aid.
Later, activists of independent candidate AKMA Awal (followers of Obhi) attacked the rented house of district Chhatra League General Secretary Iftekhar Mahmud Sajal on Narail Para Road and the office of Chhatra League on Kalibari Road in the city.
At that time, municipal Chhatra League's Joint General Secretary Md Sabbir Hossain was seriously injured. When the injured Sabbir Hossain was taken to hospital for treatment, the attackers vandalized the hospital and prevented him from receiving treatment there.
District Chhatra League General Secretary Iftekhar Mahmud Sajal said that he was campaigning for the Awami League candidate, SM Rezaul Karim, which led to the attack on his house and office.
Three people injured in the attack have been admitted to Nazirpur Upazila Health Complex.
Injured Nasima Begum, 38, said that her husband's autorickshaw was vandalized, and she was also beaten up.
Pirojpur district Jubo League President Md Aktaruzzaman Phulu said that around 3pm, several motorcycles led by Toukir Mujib Abir, son of the independent candidate district Awami League President AKMA Awal, son of Sadar upazila Chairman Md Mujibur Rahman Khalek and some youths in a microbus with weapons went in front of his rented house in Basant Pool area of the city, fired three to four rounds of blanks, burnt firecrackers and verbally abused him.
As the main gate of the house was closed, the assailants could not enter the house and left by kicking and pelting the gate with bricks.
Kadamtala market trader Kalu Molla said some miscreants attacked in the afternoon and vandalized six shops, including Jahangir Sheikh's hardware shop, Kalu Molla's oil shop, Jabbar's grocery shop, Enayet's garage, and Tapan Shah's sweet shop.
Sadar upazila Vice Chairman SM Bayezid Hossain said that the miscreants attacked his house on Balaka Road in the city. Apart from this, blanks were shot in front of district Motshojibi League President and former VP Shikder Chan’s house.
In this regard, Md Ashikuzzaman, officer-in-charge of Pirojpur Sadar police station, said that additional forces were deployed in the city after receiving the news. Currently, the situation is under control.
In the Pirojpur-1 (Nazirpur, Pirojpur Sadar, and Indurkani) constituency, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim is running as the Awami League nominated candidate while district Awami League President AKMA Awal is running as an independent candidate.