The election campaign office of Awami League candidate, Mohiuddin Bacchu, in the Chittagong-10 by-elections was attacked by a group of BNP men on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the vandalism of campaign vehicles.
Following the attack, the atmosphere in the port city grew tense as Awami League's leaders and activists retaliated by blocking roads and vandalizing the BNP party office on Nur Ahmed Road.
The attack-counterattack occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the main election campaign office of Awami League, situated across from the main entrance of Jamiatul Falah Mosque in Lalkhan Bazar, under the jurisdiction of the Khulshi police station.
Dhaka TribuneInterestingly, the city police headquarters at Dampara police line is just 100 yards away from the incident site.
Shafiqul Islam Faruq, the coordinator of the election management committee's campaign cell and the publicity and publication secretary of the city Awami League, expressed shock at the incident.
He stated that the attack on their main election office occurred while they were busy campaigning in North Agrabad ward.
Thankfully, no party leaders were present during the assault; only a few activists were affected.
Faruq asserted that the attack seemed premeditated and was allegedly organized by BNP leaders and activists.
Chittagong Metropolitan Chhatra League leader Md Mosraful Howque Chy said that BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of the election office in Lalkhan Bazar around 5:30pm.
Suddenly, they began hurling bricks and stones at the office, and a group even entered the premises to damage campaign banners and furniture, including chairs.
Vehicles associated with the election campaign, parked in front of the office, were also vandalized.
Dhaka TribuneWhen the police and leaders from Jubo League and Chhatra League arrived at the scene, the attackers fled.
In response to the attack and vandalism, local leaders and activists from Awami League and various allied organizations staged a protest by blocking the road from Lalkhan Bazar circle to Wasa circle, demanding justice for the perpetrators.
The protest intensified as leaders and activists of Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League marched toward the BNP party office at Nasimon Bhavan on Nur Ahmad Road in the city around 6pm.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (DC-South) Mostafizur Rahman alleged that BNP men instigated the attack by pelting bricks and vandalizing the election office while supporters of Mohiuddin Bacchu were concluding its march.
A series of counter-chases ensued between the two factions.
The police intervened and managed to bring the situation under control.
Dhaka TribuneThe CMP deputy commissioner added that as a group approached the BNP office, they were restrained by the authorities.
Currently, the police have stationed themselves in front of the BNP office.
In response to journalists' questions, Rahman emphasized that the law applies equally to all individuals.
He assured that legal action would be taken against any violations of the law, whether they have already occurred or may occur in the future.
The current situation is under control, but he stressed the importance of vigilance in case similar incidents arise.
Meanwhile, inside the BNP office, intruders vandalized furniture and tore down banners.
They also collected banners from the vicinity and set them ablaze on the road in front of Nasimon Bhavan.
Abul Hashem Bakkar, the Metropolitan BNP member secretary, commented on the incidents, stating that their leaders and workers were attacked in Lalkhan Bazar while returning from the march.
In response, BNP activists put up a resistance. Bakkar claimed that the BNP's march had concluded peacefully earlier, but individuals affiliated with the ruling party are trying to create confusion.
He further alleged that the attack and vandalism on their party office took place in the presence of the police.
