Attack on Patuakhali BNP polls procession, 10 hurt

The motorcade of BNP Vice-Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury came under attack in Patuakhali this morning during municipality election campaign.

At least 10, including three journalists, were injured while six microbuses and five motorcycles were vandalised, reports our local correspondent from the spot.

Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kolapara Police Station, said “unknown assailants” attacked the campaigners in Rahmatpur area of the upazila around 10:00am.

BNP activists, however, blamed supporters of one Bipul Hawladar, the mayor candidate sponsored by the ruling Awami League, for the attack.

Among the injured, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, secretary of Patuakhali Sadar BNP chapter, said to have sustained major injuries and was later taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal.

The journalists injured were: Abdus Salam, local correspondent of Boishakhi Television, Somoy TV cameraperson Sujon Dam and Bhorer Alo correspondent Swaroj Kumar.