National Citizen Party (NCP) on Thursday alleged that an attack was carried out on its candidate in the Narayanganj-4 constituency and expressed concern regarding security ahead of the national election.
NCP Central Election Management Committee member Iftekharul Islam confirmed the information in a press release.
According to the release, Abdullah Al Amin, the NCP candidate and joint member secretary of the party’s Central Convening Committee, was on a courtesy visit to Kashimpur union around 7pm. During this time, a young man was seen following him from behind. When NCP activists became suspicious, they questioned him, searched him, and recovered a sharp weapon.
The assailant then attempted to flee, injuring two NCP men. The injured are Abu Taher, 22, organiser of Fatullah Thana Juboshokti, and Maruf, 21, joint member secretary of Chhatra Shakti. Juboshokti and Chhatra Shakti are associated bodies of the NCP.
When local residents apprehended the attacker, members of a teen gang, believed to be his associates, immediately reached the scene and forcibly freed him. The locals then moved the candidate to a safe location.
The release said the situation clearly exposes an extreme security crisis in the state.
NCP contends that this incident is part of continuous violence, attacks, and intimidation that have begun in various parts of the country ahead of the parliamentary election. The election is scheduled to be held on 12 February.
It said, “If the situation continues to deteriorate in this manner, a free, fair, and impartial election cannot be possible in any way. This attack proves how uncontrolled and fragile the law and order of the country is.”
The party expressed its belief that the assault was carried out in a planned manner with the objective of sabotaging the election. Furthermore, it highlighted that the immediate arrival of teen gang members to free the attacker indicates “this is not an isolated incident. Rather, it is a manifestation of an organised terrorist network.”
NCP declared, “We want to say clearly from the NCP, we will in no way accept this attempt to intimidate, attack, and unleash terrorist groups to stop the power of the youth formed through the mass uprising before the election.”
The party also accused administrative inaction and indifference of encouraging terrorists, which it termed a threat to a free and fair election.
The press release demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the terrorists, their patrons, and planners involved in the attack.
Concluding its statement, NCP said, “We will in no way retreat from the people’s voting rights, a safe political environment, and the democratic struggle. Our fight against terrorism and the politics of weapons will continue, and we will resist all kinds of mischievous activities unitedly with the people.”
