Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed deep concern and condemnation over the shooting of BNP leader Ershad Ullah during an election campaign in Chattogram.
He made the statement in a press release issued on Wednesday.
Ershad Ullah, the BNP candidate for Chattogram-8 constituency, was shot in the Hamzarbag area of Panchlaish around 5:15pm on Wednesday while campaigning.
During the incident, Sarwar Hossain alias Babla, 43, who was participating in the campaign, was killed in the gunfire.
Police said the deceased, Sarwar, was a “listed criminal” facing around 15 cases, including those related to extortion, weapons, and murder.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Mirza Fakhrul said, “We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack on Ershad Ullah’s campaign.”
According to local BNP leaders, Ershad Ullah was conducting a campaign in favour of the BNP’s electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy” in the Hamzarbag area when miscreants opened fire, injuring him. He was later rescued and taken to Evercare Hospital.
Supporters of Ershad Ullah said unidentified assailants suddenly fired shots during the campaign before fleeing the scene. Bayazid Bostami Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jasim Uddin confirmed the shooting incident.
Ershad Ullah, a long-time BNP organiser in Chattogram, is currently serving as the convener of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP.
