Motorcade of missing BNP leader Ilias Ali's wife attacked ahead of Sylhet rally

The motorcade of Tahsina Rusdir Luna, wife of missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali, was reportedly attacked during a campaign ahead of the party's rally in Sylhet slated for November 19.

Bangladesh Chhatra League activists allegedly carried out the attack at the Gowalabazar area in Sylhet's Osmanibazar upazila, BNP alleged, adding that their campaign was also obstructed by the police.

However, the police denied any such attack on the BNP leader or their obstruction of the campaign.

"When my motorcade reached Gowalabazar, I saw police barricades on the road. BCL activists were there. They let me pass, but as I started distributing leaflets, they attacked my car. My driver managed to quickly drive away," Luna told The Daily Star.

Following the attack, local BNP activists locked into a clash with the BCL leaders, in which six people were injured.

Police detained three BNP men over the incident.

MA Moyeen Uddin, officer-in-charge of Osmaninagar Police Station, said "When she left the area, her car was untouched. We detained three people for creating chaos in the market. We did not obstruct her campaign."

Terming the attack and obstruction in the peaceful campaign heinous, Abdul Quiyum Choudhury, president of Sylhet district unit BNP urged everyone to cooperate in carrying out their rally peacefully.

"No matter how many obstacles are placed, our rally will be successful," he said.

The Daily Star could not contact Nazmul Hossain, president of Sylhet district unit BCL, as he did not pick up phone calls.