Attack on Ishraque’s rally: AL, BNP trade blames

BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation Ishraque Hossain today said that activists of the ruling party carried out an attack on his election rally, witnessing a mass wave in favour of “sheaf of paddy” in the election.

“A few rounds of bullets were fired targeting me but my leaders and activists somehow saved me,” Ishraque said this while addressing a press conference at his Gopibagh office in Old Dhaka this noon.

Earlier in the day, Ishraque and his supporters came under attack in Gopibagh area while campaigning.   

Terming the attack “a cowardly act”, Ishraque said it was part of a plan to foil the election and to scare voters off.

Ishraque said his supporters and workers will stand against the intimidation.

Earlier while addressing a brief election rally in Shapla Chattar area of Motijheel, Ishraque said he is being attacked for speaking the truth and is staying on the right path.

He also called upon his supporters and followers to go to their respective poling centres in groups to cast votes for him.

AL nominated councilor candidate Rokon Uddin Ahmed, whose supporters were locked in the clash with Ishraque’s supporters, could not be contacted for comment.

Sohrab Hossain, an injured and also Ward 39 Unit AL joint secretary -- Rokon’s supporter -- said they were campaigning peacefully when the BNP men led by Ishraque attacked them.

Most of the 10 wounded took treatment at DMCH are AL activists and sustained injuries after BNP men beat them up and threw brickbats on them, he claimed.

Md Alamgir, senior secretary of EC, said action will be taken following investigation over the incidents of violence during election campaign.

On January 21, Tabith Awal, BNP’s mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and his followers came under attack while campaigning in the capital’s Gabtoli area.

BNP leaders alleged the attackers were supporters of a local ward councillor candidate backed by the ruling Awami League. AL leaders, however, denied their involvement in the incident.