Staff Reporter :
BNP’s Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor candidate Ishraque Hossain came under attack during campaigning in the city’s Gopibagh area on Sunday morning.
Ishraque, several of his supporters and journalists were injured in the incident.
Witnesses said, a group of rowdy men swooped on Ishraque and his party leaders, workers and supporters near the Gopibagh Central Women’s College about 11:30 am.
Ishraque took shelter in his Gopibagh house. His supporters said that they were tried to save Ishraque and themselves from the attackers, within half an hour, which ended with police intervention.
In his instant reaction, the BNP mayor candidate said the goons attacked their peaceful electioneering.
Contrarily, the AL workers accused the Ishraqul’s supporters of chanting instigating slogans.
They said that an altercation took place between the supporters of Ishraqul Hossain and AL-backed 39 Ward Councilor candidate Rokonuddin when the parties were conducting their electioneering. At one stage of altercation, supporters of both sides equipped with sticks started throwing brickbats and pounded each other. Blank fire was also heard at that time.
A chase and counter chase continued from 12:50pm to 1:25pm.
Later, police went to the scene and took the situation under control.
But, BNP followers alleged that the AL men attacked their peaceful campaigning without any provocation.
BNP’s mayor candidate Ishraque Hossain’s press secretary Khurshid Alam blamed rival Awami League for unleashing the attack.
Last week, BNP’s mayor candidate of Dhaka North City Corporation Tabith Awal was also attacked during his polls campaigning.
BNP men including Tabith Awal accused ruling Awami League-backed councillor candidate of planning the attack.
