Alleged Attack on Vehicle in Gafargaon
I opened fire in self defence, says lawmaker Ghyas Uddin
Ruling party lawmaker Captain (retd) Ghyas Uddin Ahmed yesterday claimed that he had fired blank shot to escape from a mob when his sports utility vehicle (SUV) came under attack in Kandipara Bazar area of Gafargaon upazila on Friday evening.
Lawmaker Ghyas Uddin Ahmed from Gafargaon constituency said a gang of criminals led by Shafiqul, Rubel, Akhtar and Fakrul of Kandipara, equipped with sharp weapons, chased his vehicle in the bazar area at around 6:00pm when he was returning to Gafargaon from the capital.
"I fired a blank shot from my revolver to protect my life," the lawmaker said. He claimed the attack to be an attempt on his life. Asked whether the incident was a sequel to any internal conflict in the local unit of the party, the lawmaker brushed it aside, saying it was an act of criminals.
Police arrested three people late Friday night, suspecting their involvement in the attack on the vehicle of the lawmaker.
The arrestees are Kamrul, 42, Babul, 22, and Tanzir, 20. They all hail from Terosree village under Usthi union of Gafargaon upazila
A case was lodged with Gafargaon Police Station yesterday morning, accusing 20 people of attack on MP's vehicle, said Sub-Inspector Abul Hossain.
A gang of criminals attacked the vehicle while the lawmaker was returning to Gafargaon from the capital. Rear glass of the vehicle was damaged in the attack, said Omar Faruk, officer-in-charge of Gafargaon Police Station.
When asked about the incident of shooting at the crowd, Superintendent of Police (SP) Golam Kibria said it was a licensed gun and the MP could use it in self defence.
A procession was brought out at Gafargaon upazila headquarters yesterday demanding immediate arrest of the attackers.
Talking to this correspondent, Gofargaon Upazila Parishad Chairman Fahmi Golandaj Babel, known as rival of the lawmaker in local AL politics, said, hearing the news of MP's arrival, local people rushed there to raise their demand to set up the proposed Pagla Police Station at Kandipara Bazar instead of Dutter Bazar.
They also observed hartal at Kandipara Bazar recently to realise their demand but the MP paid no heed, claimed Babel. He alleged that as locals chanted slogans in support of their demand, the lawmaker came out of his car and fired several rounds of bullets to disperse the agitators.
"Such attitude by a ruling party lawmaker will surely tarnish the image of the party in and outside the district," Babel said.
Nazrul Islam Tuta, chairman of Usthi Union Parishad and also a local AL leader, said the incident was an outcome of an internal conflict in the upazila unit.
He said the arrestees are AL supporters and they were in no way involved with any criminal activities. He also demanded immediate release of the arrestees.
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