Ex-MP AK Azad’s campaign attacked in Faridpur, vehicles vandalised

Though the Jubo Dal is accused of the attack, the organisation denies the allegation

Former MP and ex-FBCCI chief AK Azad has come under attack during his campaign in Faridpur, allegedly by the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal activists.

The attackers reportedly vandalised two vehicles during the incident.

Timely police intervention, however, prevented a major confrontation.

Police later reported that Azad left the area with his motorcade following the scuffle.

The district Jubo Dal, however, denied any involvement in the attack.

Faridpur Sadar Kotowali Police Station chief Md Asaduzzaman said the incident occurred around 4:45pm on Sunday at Pomanandapur Bazar in Sadar Upazila’s Krishnanagar union.

Around 7:30pm, district Chhatra Dal activists brought out a torch procession in the town, shouting slogans calling Azad an Awami League “collaborator”.

The procession began from Government Rajendra College, went through the main roads of the town and concluded at the Janata Bank crossing.

Police and witnesses said Azad, the publisher of Bengali-language daily Samakal, arrived at Paramanandapur Bazar around 4pm with activists in 15 vehicles.

He was preparing to hold a public campaign in the area.

At that time, a procession led by Lutfor Rahman, former joint secretary of Faridpur Sadar Upazila Jubo Dal, and Nannu Molla, president of Krishnanagar union Jubo Dal, arrived at the scene, leading to tension between the two sides.

Azad's personal security guards surrounded him during this time.

Upon receiving the news, police attended the scene and tried to disperse the Jubo Dal activists, prompting a heated argument between the protesters and the law enforcers.

Around 5:15pm, as Azad was leaving the scene under police escort, a group of individuals struck and vandalised the last two vehicles in his motorcade.

Jahangir Hossain, general secretary of the Faridpur District Jubo Dal, said: "There is no committee for the Jubo Dal in the Sadar Upazila union. None of my people caused this incident in Paramanandapur."

Expressing anger over the incident, Azad told journalists: "Such an incident of violence has never happened before. I have no words to condemn it.

“The locals did not expect this kind of behaviour from Nayab Yusuf (BNP leader). Such incidents will deepen the political crisis."

The former MP said he is preparing to file a case on the matter.

Denying Azad’s allegations, Nayab, central joint secretary of the BNP’s women’s wing and an aspirant for the Faridpur-3 constituency, said: "I am not involved in any of this. I have instructed my activists not to engage in any such actions."

The BNP leader added that she had asked the Faridpur police superintendent and the Kotwali Police chief to monitor the situation.

OC Asaduzzaman said, "It was market day in Paramanandapur today. AK Azad went there for a public campaign. On the other side, Jubo Dal activists were also conducting a campaign. When the two sides came face-to-face, a conflict erupted."

He added that police later brought the situation under control and ensured Azad's motorcade was able to pass through safely.