Staff Reporter :
BNP’s Mayor candidate in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) polls Tabith Awal came under attack during his election campaign at Gabtali on Tuesday.
At least 15 activists were reportedly injured in the first pre-election attack allegedly by local Councillor candidate Mujib Sorwar Masum and his supporters at Baghbari around 11:30am on Tuesday.
Tabith Awal lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission (EC) for taking legal action in connection with the incident, BNP sources said.
Witnesses said, “When Tabith and his supporters reached Baghbari as part of campaign, a group of people started throwing brick chips and eggs targeting the BNP men around 11:30 am, leaving Tabith and some of his supporters injured.”
Tabith Awal said, “It was a planned attack with arms from behind of our procession. They targeted me. This was an ugly attack” Policemen who were present there did not try to shield the BNP candidate and his workers.
Tabith Awal’s Personal Secretary Mahmudul Hasan said, Supporter of the Awami League backed councillor candidate for Ward No-9 Mujib Sorwar Masum led the attack on the campaign programme.”
Defying the motive of the attack, Tabith Awal, however, continued his electioneering.
Tabith, in his reaction, said, “We started our campaign with a positive attitude, but the supports of Sorwar equipped with arms, rods and sticks attacked us targeting me and my fellows.”
“The attacker is councillor candidate Masum who is running in the polls under the symbol of Cart. The attack was unleashed in front of police personnel and they (police) saw the attackers. We want, the police to identify them and take action.” “We will not withdraw ourselves from campaign despite threats,” he added.
Tabith’s supporters claimed that five to seven of their workers, including the mayor aspirant, were injured in the attack.
After the incident, we began campaign in Kalyanpur area.
When asked Masum said that his polls campaign confronted Tabith’s election campaign then offensive slogans against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were chanted by BNP men.
“Consequently, Awami League activists, along with local people, became agitated and a scuffle took place there.”
“I, myself, calmed the situation,” Masum claimed.
Darussalam Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tofayel Ahamed said, “There was no incident of attack. Both the groups confronted each with other on a narrow path and that is why an incident took place.”
Inspector (Investigation) Dulal Hossain said there was a commotion when two opposite campaigns faced each other.
“However, the incident did not escalate,” he said.
“We are yet to get any complaint over the matter. No detention or arrest was made either,” Dulal said.
The elections to DNCC and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have been rescheduled for February 1.
