BNP staged attack in Feni to blame government, says Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader says he believes the attack on the BNP motorcade in Feni was staged by the party in order to criticise the ruling party.

“They fought among themselves and are trying to blame it on us. The incident was planned,” he told the media at the Secretariat on Sunday.

A motorcade carrying senior BNP leaders and members of the press was attacked near the Chauddagram area before entering Feni. The delegation led by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had planned to stop in Feni for lunch on their way to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

After Khaleda’s vehicle passed, a group of armed men attacked the motorcade and damaged 30 vehicles, mostly those belonging to the media. Some journalists were beaten even after identifying themselves.

On Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said it was ‘clear’ that the attackers were ‘members of the Awami League, Chhatra League or Jubo League’.

He called for the swift arrest and trial of those responsible.

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Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told the press on Sunday that the government had no objection to the BNP chairperson’s visit to the Rohingya camp.

“Why would we stop them?” he asked.

Quader said some vandals on motorcycles ‘threw stones’ at the motorcade near Chauddagram and attacked the media.

“My question is: why would the Awami League attack the media?”

Quader suggested the attack was a stunt by the BNP to garner more attention for her visit to Cox’s Bazar.

“When it became apparent people weren’t paying attention they staged an incident near her own constituency and blamed the government.”

After the attack, the motorcade halted its journey in Feni. It arrived in Chittagong on Saturdaynight. Khaleda spent the night at the Chittagong Circuit House.

The motorcade was scheduled to leave for Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. On Monday the BNP will distribute aid at the Rohingya refugee camps at Balukhali, Bowalmara and Jamtali.