Use of crude bombs, guns and violent attacks were reported during electioneering of the Awami League and the party-backed independent candidates in different places across Bangladesh, leaving scores including campaigners injured ahead of the January 7 general election.
Most electoral incidents, reported in over 46 districts between December 18 and December 30, took place between sunset and sunrise, according to a police document.
The document read that at least five such incidents of shooting and hurling of crude bombs were reported in a month.
Police headquarters deputy inspector general of police (operations) Md Anwar Hossain said that a total of 184 lawsuits were filed over the incidents of attack, clash, sabotage and vandalism, as well as 215 people were arrested in these cases since the campaign began on December 18.
‘We want a peaceful election with our utmost efforts,’ he said on Sunday night.
An internal police document updated until December 30 showed that at least 287 incidents of electoral violence involving the ruling AL and the party-backed independent candidates were recorded in over a month, leaving nearly 350 people, including 41 policemen injured.
New Age correspondent in Rajshahi reported that at least 30 people were injured in clashes between the supporters of AL-nominated candidate for Rajshahi-4 constituency Abul Kalam Azad and AL-independent candidate and incumbent lawmaker Enamul Haque at Madarigand Baazar at the upazila on Sunday afternoon.
The police and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh brought the situation under control.
Enamul Haque said that by threatening and attacking his followers continuously, the AL-nominated candidate supporters were trying to create an environment of ‘terror’ in the area so that the voters could be reluctant to go to the polling stations.
Abul Kalam Azad could not be reached for comment over the phone.
Meanwhile, miscreants set fire to an electoral camp of the AL-independent candidate for Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency film actress Sharmin Akter Nipa, known as Mahiya Mahi, at Baghail village under Deopara union in Godagari upazila early Sunday.
Mahiya Mahi accused that the supporters of AL-nominated candidate and incumbent lawmaker Omar Faruk Chowdhury who could not be reached for comment.
Abdul Matin, the Godagari police station officer-in-charge, said that no formal complaint was lodged with the police station till Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, at least five supporters of AL-independent candidate for Natore-4 constituency (Gurudaspur-Baraigram) Asif Abdullah Bin Quddus were injured in an attack reportedly carried out by the followers of AL-nominated candidate Siddiqur Rahman Patwary at Baraigram upazila on Saturday night.
The police said that the attack was carried out when a group of supporters of independent candidate led by Zonail Union Parishad former chairman Tozammel Haque were returning home at about 10:00pm on Saturday after finishing their campaigns at Kochugari village.
Tozammel alleged supporters of AL-nominated candidate led by Habib Mandal and Sohel Rana carried out the attack and vandalized their five motorcycles. Sohel Rana denied the allegation.
Baraigram Circle additional superintendent of police Sharif Al Razeeb told New Age three people were arrested in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile, an AL leader, Rejaul Islam, 60, was stabbed while returning from the campaigning of AL-independent candidate for Naogaon-5 (sadar) constituency Dewan Sekhar Ahmed at Bottola intersection in Naogaon city on Saturday night.
Dewan Sekhar Ahmed alleged that the supporters of AL-nominated candidate Nizam Uddin Jalil attacked Rejaul Islam. Zahidul Haque, officer-in-charge of Naogaon Sadar Model Police Station, said that none lodged any complaint with the police station.
New Age correspondent in Shariatpur reported that some 20 supporters of ruling AL-nominated candidate AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem for Shariatpur-2 (Naria-Sakhipur) hurled hand-made bombs on the supporters of AL-independent candidate and Awami Juba League presidium member Khalid Showkat Ali.
Khalid Showkat Ali alleged that the attack left 12 people injured in Mulfatganj of Naria upazila on Saturday night.
Enamul Hoque’s electioneering committee chief coordinator and Naria municipality mayor Abul Kalam Azad, meanwhile, in a press conference dismissed the allegation.
Naria government collage unit Chhatra League former secretary Mitu Mollah said a number of hand-bombs were hurled when the supporters of Khalid Showkat Ali was marching towards Mulfatganj in a small group.
Witnesses said after hurling bombs, the supporters of ruling party candidates beat up the supporters of independent candidate and injured over a dozen of them.
Shariatpur Mahbubul Alam told New Age that a case was filed with Naria police station and four of the attackers were arrested overnight raid. The independent candidate was not present in the time of attack, he added.
New Age
