In another attack on non-Awami League-backed mayoral candidates, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh-backed candidate Mahi B Chowdhury’s car was attacked early yesterday morning by unidentified miscreants at Sat Rasta in the capital’s Tejgaon area.
Mahi, his wife Ashfah Haque Lopa and his chauffeur Shahid Mandol were injured in the attack, which took place on their way home after attending a television programme of the ATN News around 2:40am.
Mahi’s personal secretary Jahangir Chowdhury said Tejgaon Shilpanchal police refused to receive their complaints at night and asked them to come to the police station in the morning.
Tejgaon Shilpanchal police station Sub Inspector Nazrul Islam informed that the case was finally filed around 8:30pm.
Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of detective police, told the reporters that Mahi alleged that the same attackers who had attacked Bikalpadhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury in 2004 were behind this attack.
“Mahi says BNP has been pressuring him not to contest the mayoral polls,” he said.
Mahi, now receiving treatment at United Hospital, said: “The miscreants broke glasses of my car and tried to pull me out of the car holding my hair, saying, ‘ Now we have fulfilled your desire to contest the election.’”
Claiming that the government failed to ensure security for candidates, Mahi reminded: “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the aspirants.”
Apart from this attack, the motorcade of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was attacked thrice in the last seven days while she attempted to canvas for her party-backed candidates.
BNP-backed Chittagong City Corporation candidate M Manjur Alam and his supporters were also attacked yesterday afternoon, and councillor aspirant Sarwar Wadud Chowdhury and Nazmul Huda, a supporter of Habiba Chowdhury, were attacked on Saturday.
The ruling party leaders, however, claim that people aggrieved and angered by the deaths of more than 100 people who were killed during the BNP-led alliance’s anti-government movement since January could be behind these attacks.
