42 hurt in pre-poll violence

At least 42 people were injured in clashes between rival poll campaigners in the capital, and elsewhere in the country yesterday. In the capital, at least 10 people suffered injuries in two separate clashes between the supporters of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during an election campaign at Jurain and Goran yesterday.

Witnesses said while Afroza Abbas, the BNP candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, was campaigning at Dakshin Goran under Khilgaon area with her supporters around 11.15 am, when about 15-20 people suddenly launched an attack on them. This is the second time Afroza came under attack during her campaign.

Khilgaon police OC Moshiur Rahman said the procession of the BNP candidate was peaceful but some people launched an attack on them all of a sudden. Ten people were injured in the skirmish, he added.

Policemen rushed to the spot and rescued Afroja, he said. It was alleged earlier that the supporters of a local unit of the Awami League had attacked the motorcade of Afroza, the wife of BNP leader Mirza Abbas, during the campaign in her constituency in the city on December 12. The attackers damaged her car and her driver was injured.

Meanwhile, supporters of BNP candidate Salahuddin Ahmed came under attack while they were distributing leaflets among voters at Ghuntighar in the city’s Natun Rasta of Jurain around 12:30pm. At least 10 BNP workers were injured in the incident. The witnesses said the attackers also damaged two microbuses of Salahuddin Ahmed.  

The BNP leader alleged that the supporters of the Awami League attacked his supporters. Mizanur Rahman, the OC of Shyampur police station, however, said they had not been informed of the attack yet.

Our Correspondent from Bagura adds: At least two people were injured after three cocktails were thrown at a Jatiya Party election campaign on Monday night around 9.30pm. The incident took place when the Jatiya Party candidate, Shariful Islam Zinna MP, was campaigning at the Vaiyepukur Dhora area in Shibganj upazila.

The injured were identified as Dulu Mia, 25, son of Azhar Ali of village Anantapur and Alamgir Hossain, 27, an inhabitant of Muradpur under the upazila. The injured were admitted to the Shibganj upazila health complex.

Our Chandpur correspondent adds: Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, the BNP candidate for the Chandpur -3 constituency (Sadar-Haimchar), and his supporters came under attack allegedly by the AL, and Juba league activists in Madrasa Road and Nishi Building Road areas in the town yesterday afternoon.

15 BNP activists were injured and treated in different private clinics.

Witnesses said the attackers armed with sharp weapons launched an attack on the BNP supporters, tore up posters and banners of the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. At one stage, Farid Ahmed was surrounded by the attackers. He, however, managed his way out and escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile in Magura, five Awami League men were injured as a group of BNP men attacked at Simakhali Bazar in Shalikha upazila yesterday evening. Locals said a group of BNP men suddenly swooped on AL men and vandalised furniture around 6:30 pm while they were discussing their election activities, leaving five injured.

In Bogura, a case was filed against 34 BNP members including convener of Shibganj upazila unit and 15 unnamed people on charge of attacking the convoy of Awami League candidate of Bogura-2 constituency Shariful Islam Jinnah during electioneering.

In Munshiganj, another 19 BNP members were sued for allegedly torching an election camp of ruling party at Palgaon in Louhajang upazila. Juba League president Md Alamgir Kabir filed the case accusing 19 BNP men and 7-8 unnamed people.

Police arrested three BNP men over the attack.

In Khulna, BNP candidate of Khulna-3 constituency Rokibul Islam Bakul alleged that police detained 12 BNP men on Tuesday without filing any case. He also submitted a memorandum to the returning officer seeking remedy of the the matter.

Meanwhile, in Barishal, police arrested 12 leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami during drives in different areas in the city.

 

42 hurt in pre-poll violence

At least 42 people were injured in clashes between rival poll campaigners in the capital, and elsewhere in the country yesterday. In the capital, at least 10 people suffered injuries in two separate clashes between the supporters of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during an election campaign at Jurain and Goran yesterday. Witnesses said while Afroza Abbas, the BNP candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, was campaigning at Dakshin Goran under Khilgaon area with her supporters around 11.15 am, when about 15-20 people suddenly launched an attack on them. This is the second time Afroza came under attack during her campaign. Khilgaon police OC Moshiur Rahman said the procession of the BNP candidate was peaceful but some people launched an attack on them all of a sudden. Ten people were injured in the skirmish, he added. Policemen rushed to the spot and rescued Afroja, he said. It was alleged earlier that the supporters of a local unit of the Awami League had attacked the motorcade of Afroza, the wife of BNP leader Mirza Abbas, during the campaign in her constituency in the city on December 12. The attackers damaged her car and her driver was injured. Meanwhile, supporters of BNP candidate Salahuddin Ahmed came under attack while they were distributing leaflets among voters at Ghuntighar in the citys Natun Rasta of Jurain around 12:30pm. At least 10 BNP workers were injured in the incident. The witnesses said the attackers also damaged two microbuses of Salahuddin Ahmed. The BNP leader alleged that the supporters of the Awami League attacked his supporters. Mizanur Rahman, the OC of Shyampur police station, however, said they had not been informed of the attack yet. Our Correspondent from Bagura adds: At least two people were injured after three cocktails were thrown at a Jatiya Party election campaign on Monday night around 9.30pm. The incident took place when the Jatiya Party candidate, Shariful Islam Zinna MP, was campaigning at the Vaiyepukur Dhora area in Shibganj upazila. The injured were identified as Dulu Mia, 25, son of Azhar Ali of village Anantapur and Alamgir Hossain, 27, an inhabitant of Muradpur under the upazila. The injured were admitted to the Shibganj upazila health complex. Our Chandpur correspondent adds: Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, the BNP candidate for the Chandpur -3 constituency (Sadar-Haimchar), and his supporters came under attack allegedly by the AL, and Juba league activists in Madrasa Road and Nishi Building Road areas in the town yesterday afternoon. 15 BNP activists were injured and treated in different private clinics. Witnesses said the attackers armed with sharp weapons launched an attack on the BNP supporters, tore up posters and banners of the Sheaf of Paddy. At one stage, Farid Ahmed was surrounded by the attackers. He, however, managed his way out and escaped unhurt. Meanwhile in Magura, five Awami League men were injured as a group of BNP men attacked at Simakhali Bazar in Shalikha upazila yesterday evening. Locals said a group of BNP men suddenly swooped on AL men and vandalised furniture around 6:30 pm while they were discussing their election activities, leaving five injured. In Bogura, a case was filed against 34 BNP members including convener of Shibganj upazila unit and 15 unnamed people on charge of attacking the convoy of Awami League candidate of Bogura-2 constituency Shariful Islam Jinnah during electioneering. In Munshiganj, another 19 BNP members were sued for allegedly torching an election camp of ruling party at Palgaon in Louhajang upazila. Juba League president Md Alamgir Kabir filed the case accusing 19 BNP men and 7-8 unnamed people. Police arrested three BNP men over the attack. In Khulna, BNP candidate of Khulna-3 constituency Rokibul Islam Bakul alleged that police detained 12 BNP men on Tuesday without filing any case. He also submitted a memorandum to the returning officer seeking remedy of the the matter. Meanwhile, in Barishal, police arrested 12 leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami during drives in different areas in the city.