At least 82 political activists and two journalists were injured in violence during political campaigns across the country. Dhaka Tribune correspondents reported incidents of violence from
In Comilla’s Muradnagar, BNP candidate Km Mujibul Haque’s motorcade was attacked in the upazila sadar in the morning. His supporters fought back, and at least 20 people were injured in the clash. The cameras of two journalists were snatched away.
Mujibul has blamed Awami League candidate Yusuf Abdullah Harun’s men for the attack.
In Chauddagram, Jatiya Oikya Front candidate Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher’s home was reportedly bombed, allegedly by local Awami League activists. His campaign manager Abdus Sattar said in a press release that the activists came to Taher’s home on motorcycles from Railway Minister Mujibul Haque’s campaign rally. Local Awami League leaders have denied the allegation. Police say they are not aware of the attack.
In Gazipur, BNP leader and candidate Shah Riazul Hannan’s motorcade was attacked in the evening in Kapasia upazila’s Sammania union, injuring Riaz and 10-12 other political activists. The attackers vandalized Riaz’s car and four motorcycles.
In Jhalakathi, BNP candidate Zeba Amin Khan’s motorcade was attacked as she was leaving a campaign event in the evening. The incident took place in Jhalakathi town. Local BNP says at least 10 of their people were injured. Zeba was forced to take shelter in a nearby home. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
In Barisal, Jubo Dal leader Advocate Abdur Rahman was hacked and beaten, allegedly by local Chhatra League and Jubo League activists. The incident took place in the afternoon in Gouranadi town’s Badamtala area. Rahman was admitted to Barisal Medical College Hospital in a critical state.
In Barisal city, Shakil Hossain, an activist of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), was beaten allegedly by Awami League activists at Rupatali area after Jumma prayers.
A party spokesman said Shakil was accosted by Awami League men as he was distributing leaflets in favour of IAB candidate Syed Fazlul Karim.
In Sirajganj, BNP activists clashed with police after they were stopped from holding a procession in the town’s EB Road, Dhulipara and Kadamtala areas. BNP says at least 20 of their leaders and activists were injured.
In Jamalpur, unidentified men vandalized an chased the motorcade of BNP candidate for Jamalpur 5 constituency advocate Shah Md Wares Ali. Local Chhatra Dal leader Bayezid among eight BNP leaders and activists were injured in the incident.
Wares Ali later alleged that the perpetrators were men loyal to his opponent Awami League candidate Engineer Mojaffar Hossain.
In Satkhira, unidentified men beat and chased BNP candidate Habibul Islam and his campaigning entourage in Kalaroa upazila of Satkhira 1 constiuency (Tala-Kalaroa).
Habibul Islam alleged that men loyal to local Awami League leader and upazila Chairman Firoz Ahmed and Jubo League leader Lavlu orchestrated the attack.
The ambush left at least 10 injured including Habibul, Kalaroa upazila unit BNP President Bazlur Rahman and two local journalists who were at the scene. The injured were taken to the Satkhira Sadar Hospital.
Our correspondents Masud Alam from Comilla, Bishwajit Deb from Jamalpur, Asaduzzaman Sardar from Satkhira. Raihanul Islam Akand from Gazipur contributed to this report
