The followers of independent candidate in Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency Whip Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury set two election camps of Awami League contestant Motaherul Islam Chowdhury on fire in Patiya upazila of the district on Thursday night.

They also attacked a Swechchhasebak League leader in a separate incident, leaving him critically injured. The injured was identified as SM Fakhrul Alam Sajib, 45.

Sources said some unruly followers of Whip Shamsul torched the election camps at Kasiais and Chhanhara villages under the upazila.

Posters and banners containing photos of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were also gutted by the fire.

After the attack, they left the scene by chanting slogans in favour of Whip Shamsul.

Kasiais Union Parishad Chairman Abul Kashem said Shamsul’s people set offices of the ‘Boat’ candidate on fire at night.

“A police team rushed to the scene after receiving call through 999,” said the chairman, alleging that the office was set on fire under the leadership of Nurul Huda, a follower of Shamsul.

Motaherul Islam’s Chief Election Coordinator Pradip Das said the act carried out by the whip’s supporters through burning ‘Boat’ symbol, photos of Bangabandhu  and Sheikh Hasina is a heinous incident and punishable crime.

“Preparations are underway to file a case against the attackers,” he said.

On the same night, upazila Swechchhasebak League Organising Secretary Sajib was returning home riding his bike from the election office of the AL candidate.

As he reached Goiralar Tek area, a group of Shamsul’s followers intercepted him around 11:30pm and stabbed him with sharp weapons, leaving him injured critically.

They also set his bike on fire. As locals came forward, the criminals left the scene blasting explosives.

Seriously injured Sajib was rushed to Patiya Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Junglekhain Union Parishad Chairman Shahadat Hossain Sabuj reportedly led the attack.

Officer in-charge Jasim Uddin of Patiya police station said they were investigating the incidents.

Legal action will be taken after proper investigation, he added.

AL candidate Motaherul and other senior leaders visited the injured leader after the incident.

Meanwhile, two young supporters of Whip Shamsul were given a mass beating allegedly while distributing money among voters on Friday.

The youths were identified as Md Azad, 24, and Md Ilias, 20, of Haidgaon village under the upazila.

AL Kushumpura Union unit General Secretary Advocate Hossain Md Rana alleged that three youths were caught red-handed while distributing money among locals on behalf of Whip Shamsul in the afternoon.

However, one of them managed to flee from the spot, he said.

Later, the agitated mob handed the duo to police after giving a good beating.

They were taken to the Patiya police station, Advocate Rana added.

OC Jasim Uddin said they were investigating the matter.

BDST: 1322 HRS, JAN 06, 2024
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