BNP files case against hundreds of AL members

The BNP has filed a case against over a hundred Awami League leaders and members over Monday’s attack on Khaleda Zia's motorcade at Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.

BNP Joint Secretary General Mahbub Uddin Khokon filed the complaint with Tejgaon police around 11am on Tuesday.

Tejgaon zone Deputy Police Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar said a case had been opened based on the complaint, signed by Khaleda Zia’s Chief Security Coordinator Fazle Elahi Akbar.

No specific persons have been named but over a hundred AL leaders and members have been accused.

Meanwhile, an Awami League leader has filed a case over the incident the same day, accusing BNP activists.

Legal actions would be taken after investigating both the cases said Sarkar.

He said, “Legal measures will be taken against those involved in the incident.”

Besides questioning witnesses, video footage was being analysed to identify the culprits, he added.

“More than 100 Awami League supporters attacked Khaleda Zia’s motorcade. They fired at her SUV and damaged other vehicles in the motorcade,” Khokon told reporters.

“Seven including the BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary, Abdus Salam, and her security personnel were injured. We believe the attack was planned well ahead.”

Former prime minister Khaleda came under attack at Karwan Bazar while canvassing for party-endorsed Dhaka North mayor aspirant Tabith Awal.

She escaped unharmed but vehicles in her motorcade were damaged.

Her security staff claimed bullets had been fired at Khaleda’s vehicle but the version could not be independently verified.

The BNP said the attack “aimed at eliminating Khaleda” and blamed it on the Awami League. It called a daylong shutdown for Wednesday protesting against the attack.

Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dubbed episode as a “drama”.