BNP-backed candidate, aides attacked in Jessore
Poll violation allegation against grand alliance candidate in Panchagarh
Criminals injured the BNP-backed mayoral candidate in Harinakundo upazila town and his two aides on Wednesday while BNP-backed candidate in Panchagarh municipality yesterday alleged violation of electoral rules against Awami League-led grand alliance candidate.
Jinnatul Haq, BNP-backed mayoral candidate in Harinakundo upazila town, and his two associates were injured in separate incidents on Wednesday, reports our Jhenidah correspondent.
Jinnatul received first aid at Harinakundo upazila health complex while seriously injured Shalok Mondol and Nazer Ali of Tithuliapara village under the upazila are undergoing treatment at the health complex.
“Shalok and I were pasting posters in front of Brac office at Tithuliapara village at around 8:30pm when some unidentified criminals started beating us with spear and sticks. At one stage the spear pierced into my abdomen. Shalok received injuries at his leg,” Nazer Ali said.
Earlier in the morning, AL activists beat up BNP mayoral candidate Jinnatul Haq, also former councillor of ward No 8 of Baithapara village of Harinakundo upazila town, when he was conducting an election campaign at Tithuliapara of the town.
He was rushed to Harinakundo health complex. He was released after first aid.
“Some 15/16 Awami League men including Faruk, Manik, Shariful Aijuddin, Patul, Sumon, Hashem, Hannan, Saifuzzaman, Jiar, Abu Bakar, Monirul, Kalu and others attacked me. They beat me with rods and sticks. At around 10:30am I went to Harinakundi police station to file a case but the OC refused to record the case and told me to meet in the afternoon,” the mayoral candidate said.
“Awami League activists are trying to prevent us from asking for votes. Even we cannot go to upazila Doel Chattar due to threat by the ruling party men,” said Abul Hossain, president of Harinakundo upazila unit of BNP.
On the other hand, Sajedur Rahman Tanu Mollik, joint secretary of Harinakundo upazila unit of AL, said no AL activists were involved in the attack on BNP mayoral candidate and his men.
Our Thakurgaon Correspondent adds: Existing Mayor of Panchagarh municipality, also a BNP-backed candidate in the upcoming mayoral poll, at a press conference yesterday alleged violation of electoral rules against AL-led grand alliance candidate Md Jahirul Islam.
“Violating electoral rules, AL-led grand alliance candidate Md Jahirul Islam is campaigning with motorcade comprising 20/25 motorbikes after filing nomination on December 12. He is giving assurance to poor voters for giving rice at a cost Tk 15 per kg taking their Voter Identity Card,” Touhidul Islam said at the press conference held at his Masjidpara residence in Panchagarh town.
“Jahirul Islam also makes objectionable comments against me that clearly violates electoral rules. The authority is yet to take any legal step although Ahsanul Parvez, returning officer and chief of Election Monitoring Committee, was verbally informed of the matter,” he said.
When contacted, Ahsanul Parvez said there is no scope to take action until a written complaint is filed.
Denying the allegation, AL-led grand alliance candidate Md Jahirul Islam said riders on 4/5 motorbikes accompany him when he conducts workers' meeting at different places.
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