Attack on Fakhrul: BNP leaders slam government for ‘counter case’

BNP leader Moudud Ahmed sees an ulterior motive of the government in the counter case that has been filed following attacks on Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s motorcade in Chittagong.

The BNP secretary general’s motorcade was attacked in Chittagong’s Rangunia Upazila on Sunday on his way to Rangamati to meet local people affected by landslides.

Senior BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, who had accompanied Fakhrul, blamed Awami League's local MP Hasan Mahmud for the attack.

Rejecting the blame, Hasan alleged that the car carrying Fakhrul hit two persons in Ichhakhali and that the angry locals attacked them.

Four days after the incident, an auto-rickshaw driver, Mohsin, started a case against BNP leaders and activists alleging that the motorcade of Fakhrul hit two drivers in Rangunia.

This is seen as a counter-case as a pro-BNP lawyer sued local leaders and activists of the Awami League for the attack.

Moudud came down hard on the government during a discussion at the National Press Club on Friday.

Referring to the latest case, he said: “The faces of attackers are clearly visible in the video footage -- all activists of Jubo League and Chhatra League.”

“The government has started the case just to distort the real picture. An ulterior motive lies behind it.”

“Now there are two cases. The government has done this to be on the safe side while facing trial,” said the former law minister.

In another media briefing at the BNP headquarters, senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi echoed Moudud.

Plaintiff Mohsin is a supporter of Hasan Mahmud, according to Rizvi, BNP’s senior joint secretary general.

“They are showing him as an auto-rickshaw driver just to stack false cases against BNP leaders.”