Staff Reporter :BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade was attacked by miscreants in the city’s Karwanbazar area while she was campaigning for her party-backed Dhaka North City Corporation [DNCC] mayor candidate Tabith Awal on Monday afternoon. At least seven persons, including an official of Chairperson’s Security Force [CSF], were injured in the attack around 5:40pm near vegetable market at Karwanbazar, an official of Khaleda Zia’s press wing Shairul Kabir Khan said.BNP chairperson, however, remained unhurt. She was escorted to her car safely by the CSF officials and party men. But the right side window-glass of her car was broken due to brick bating by the attackers. Four other vehicles of the motorcade, including an ambulance, were also vandalized at that time.Officer-in-Charge of Tejgaon Police Station Mazharul Islam Kajol said, “A group of youths brought out a black-flag procession during the meeting of BNP chief Khaleda Zia.Tension rose among the CSF over the matter. Later, police brought the situation under control. Khaleda left the spot towards Moghbazar.” Witnesses said, a group of activists of Awami Jubo League and Chhatra League attacked Khaleda Zia’s motorcade with bamboo sticks and iron rods chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan. The attack was made in a pre-planned way when Khaleda Zia was addressing the street meeting through a hand mike [loudspeaker]. The attackers started throwing brickbats targeting the motorcade taking possessions on the rooftop of the adjacent buildings. The BNP activists chased some youths when the attackers showed shoes and black flag at the time. The two sides were locked in clash in front of Family Planning Directorate office. Khaled Zia slipped into her car for taking cover from brick bating. To protect the BNP chief, a group of BNP activists and CSF officials formed a human wall surrounding Khaleda’s car. A CSF official received serious injuries in the head by stone throwing. Khaleda usually sits in the second row seat of her car. The right side window glass beside her seat was smashed by brick bating. The attackers also vandalized at least three other vehicles of CCF.BNP Vice Chairman Selina Rahman was with her at that time. After escaping the attack, the personal car of BNP chief left the scene in a hurry to Moghbazar through FDC road. Later, the attackers brought out a procession in the Karwanbazar area. They chanted slogans, ‘the soil of ‘Karwnabazar is stronghold of Chhatra League’.Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police [Tejgaon Zone], Biplob Kumar Sarkar, however, refrained from making any comment about the identity of attackers. When contacted, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said yesterday night that the government would take action against the culprits after conducting an overall investigation. Later, Khaleda Zia started campaign again in the city’s Malibag area in favour of BNP-backed Dhaka South City Corporation [DSCC] mayor candidate Mirza Abbas.The incident took place hours after the seven-member police team deputed for the security of the BNP chief’s residence in the city’s Gulshan was withdrawn around 7:00am. She came out of her house for electoral campaign without any police protection. BNP blamed a group of ruling party Awami League activists carried out the attack on Khaleda Zia’s motorcade under direct patronization of the law enforcement agencies. Earlier on Monday night, over 100 ruling party men carrying sticks with black flags in three separate groups chased her motorcade and blocked roads while it was passing Rajlaxmi Complex, Rajuk Commercial Complex and North Tower in city’s Uttara town.In this situation, she abandoned campaign midway on the day being obstructed by the ruling Awami League men.Her car passed through Airport Road from House Building area of Uttara-7 instead of going towards Uttara-8 as 10-12 youths threw sticks with black flags at the her security personnel’s vehicle.
