BNP leaders and activists were attacked while distributing leaflets containing the 31-point declaration announced by Tarique Rahman around 8pm in Shibchar, Madaripur on Monday. According to witnesses, the attackers chanted the slogan “Joy Bangla” during the assault.
At least 20 people were reportedly injured in the incident.
The attack took place near the Poura Bhaban-2 in the Charshyamail area of Shibchar.
Most of the injured were leaders and activists of the Panchchar Union BNP and its affiliated organisations.
However, they said local Awami League supporters carried out the attack while chanting “Joy Bangla.”
Locals said supporters of BNP nomination aspirant for Madaripur-1 constituency Sazzad Hossain Lavlu Siddique had come out to distribute leaflets.
They got into a dispute with Shumon Fakir, son of Shibchar Union Parishad Chairman Babul Fakir in the Kazi’s Shop area of Charshyamail, Shibchar municipality.
Later, local Awami League leaders and activists allegedly attacked the leaflet distributors. Several motorcycles were also vandalised.
According to their families, the injured were rescued and rushed to Shibchar Upazila Health Complex, while several critically injured individuals were sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
The Times of Bangladesh spoke to several injured individuals undergoing treatment at Shibchar Upazila Health Complex.
They said under the leadership of Babul’s son, over a hundred people armed with local weapons attacked them chanting “Joy Bangla.”
They also described the situation as terrifying.
Attempts to contact the accused Babul Fakir were unsuccessful. Babul Fakir is known as an Awami League supporter in local politics, though he does not hold any official position in the party.
Rakibul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shibchar Police Station said “We are looking into the matter. Our team is present in the area. Details will be provided later.”