AL men clash with BNP mayoral candidate Ishraque's supporters in Gopibagh

Supporters of Ishraque Hossain, the BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South, have clashed with the Awami League activists campaigning for two councillor candidates during an election rally in the capital's Gopibagh.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 Jan 2020, 09:56 AM
Updated : 26 Jan 2020, 10:00 PM

A journalist was among a dozen people hurt in the skirmish on Sunday while both sides alleged shootings by their rivals.

According to a few local BNP activists, Ishraque was leading a procession back to his home in Gopibagh when they were attacked by Awami League activists near the Central Women's College.

The two sides traded blows for about 40 minutes during which several vehicles were damaged.

Witnesses said supporters of Awami League-endorsed councillor candidate Rokon Uddin Ahmed and reserved women councillor candidate Lovely Chowdhury positioned themselves on the road just as Ishraque's procession was about to arrive.

Tensions simmered as the two sides chanted slogans over microphones before the violent altercation erupted as they hurled brickbats and chairs at each other.

The situation came under control once the police arrived on the scene.

Addressing the attack on his campaign, Ishraque said, "The attack was part of a ploy to sabotage the elections. We were coming back from a rally from Hatkhola via Tikatuli and were two minutes away from my home when it happened."

Awami League-backed councillor aspirant Rokon denied the allegation of attacking Ishraque’s supporters.

“Ishraque’s men broke the door and attacked us. They fired eight rounds of bullet. My men were injured in the attack,” he said. 

Ishraque alleged it was the supporters of the Awami League-backed candidates who fired shots.

“It’s an evil bid to scare the voters. I urge the leaders and activists to stay calm,” he told a news conference at his home.

Around 10 of his supporters were injured in the incident, he claimed.

British High Commissioner Robert Dickson later visited him at his home.

He said it was part of his regular activities, including meeting the candidates.

The UK wants to see free and fair elections with the voters casting their votes without fear, Dickson said.

CASE

Local Awami League leader Maksud Ahmed started a case at Wari Police Station over the incident, Inspector Mostafizur Rahman said.

Abdur Rahim, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist who had been injured in the clash, went to the police station but police refused to record his case, alleged BNP leader Abdus Salam, a member of its committee no coordinate election activities in the South.

No one of the BNP approached him to lodge a case, said duty officer Harun-Or-Rashid.

He could not say whether his superiors were contacted by the party.

Masudul Haque, a spokesman for Returning Officer Abdul Baten, said Wari Police Station OC Azizur Rahman had been asked to investigate the incident and report back.

OC Azizur did not take calls for comment.