BNP men attacked in Patuakhali on way to Barishal rally; 3 injured

Patuakhali district BNP leaders and activists came under attack on the Patuakhali-Barishal highway in Gabua area of the district last evening (November 4, 2022).

Three BNP men were injured in the attack carried out allegedly by local Awami League men while the BNP men were going to Barishal to join the party's divisional rally to be held today (November 5), alleged the local BNP leaders.

Shajahan Khan, former general secretary of district BNP and a member of BNP's convening committee, was among the injured, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

District Jubo Dal acting general secretary Shilpa Khan, who was injured in the attack, told The Daily Star that a group of BNP men led by Shahjahan Khan was going to Barishal on some motorcycles this evening.

When they were crossing the Gabua area on the Patuakhali-Barisal highway, local Awami League activists attacked them.

Three motorcycles were also vandalised at the time, Shilpa added.

However, this correspondent could not reach Patuakhali District Awami League General Secretary Abdul Mannan for his comments in this regard despite several calls.

Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Patuakhali Police Station, told this correspondent, "No one told me anything about the attack. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is received."

The BNP is holding rallies at the divisional headquarters to protest the price hike of essentials and fuel, recent killings of five party men in police firings in different districts, and also demanding "release" of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.