Independent, boat candidates clash in 8 places as polls campaign begins

The ruling Awami League has largely allowed independent candidates to contest the upcoming 12th parliamentary election in a bid to boost voter turnout as the Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP), the de facto opposition, boycotted the elections.

But supporters of independent and Awami League-nominated candidates engaged in clashes within hours as they began electioneering following allocation of electoral symbols by the election commission.

Attacks were reported from at least eight constituencies between Monday night to Tuesday nights, and supporters of independent candidates blamed Awami League candidates’ supporters in all incidents.

Violations of electoral code of conducts were also reported from various places on the second day of election campaign after allocation of electoral symbol.

Awami League candidate from Narayanganj-3, Abdullah Al Kaisar Hasnat brought out procession on Dhaka-Chattogram highway. More than 100 motorcycles joined the procession, disrupting traffic movement.

Awami League candidate MA Latif also campaigned for election on the busy roads in Pahartali ward of Chattogram city, disrupting vehicular movement.

With more than two weeks left, Awami League policymakers fear tension is likely to rise at the end of polls campaign. However, Awami League leaders think law enforcement agencies will remain vigilant.

Supporters of independents and Awami League-nominated candidates locked into clashes in Jashore, Joypurhat, Pabna, Jamalpur, Kushtia, Natore, Tangail and Dhaka’s Savar on Tuesday that left several people injured. Attacks were also reported.

Besides, supporters of Awami League-nominated candidate Shamim Haque allegedly barred the campaign of independent candidate AK Azad in Faridpur and snatched his leaflets.

Independent candidate Asharful Alam of Awami League and his supporters came under attack in Jashore-1 (Sharsha) constituencies on Tuesday.

Police and locals said independent candidate Asharful Alam along with his supporters and activists were exchanging greetings with workers at gate 1 and 2 of the Benapole land port. At that time, a group of workers loyal to Awami League-nominated candidate and incumbent lawmaker Sk Afil Uddin attacked them.

The attackers beat Asharful Alam and his 10 activists, leaving them injured. Police rushed to the spot, rescued Asharful Alam and took control over the situation. Operation at Benapole land port remained suspended for an hour following the incident.

Sharsha upazila assistant commissioner (land) Farzana Islam conducted a mobile court and fine three workers Tk 15,000 for their involvement in the attack.

Asharful Alam told Prothom Alo people of the Awami League-nominated candidate Afil Uddin attacked them and they went to police station but police did not register a case. Regarding the allegation, Afil Uddin said heated arguments were exchanged between and Asharful Alam in the port, and workers might shove or assault him.

Benapole port police station's officer-in-charge (OC) Sumon Bhakt said mobile court fined them, so there is no opportunity to two cases over a single incident.

Accompanied by more than 200 supporters and activists, independent candidate of the Joypurhat-2 seat and Awami League’s district unit joint general secretary Golam Mahfuz Chowdhury took position on the entrance of the deputy commissioner's office.

He alleged supporters Awami League-nominated candidate Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Sawpan beat his supporters and activists in Matrai union of Kalai upazila on Monday afternoon. Attempts were made to kill his chief agent and Matrai union parishad chairman Shawkat Habib Talukder. Besides, his election office was vandalised and 12,000 posters were snatched.

Returning officer DC Salehin Tanvir Gazi called the independent candidate and his chief agent to the DC office and spoke to them.

Salehin Tanvir Gazi told Prothom Alo, there had been a dispute over hanging posters and he advised the independent candidate filing a complaint to police station, and the police will take action upon investigation.

According to Kalai police station, two lawsuits were filed over this incident – one is filed by independent candidate Golam Mahfuz Chowdhury and another one by Awami League’s Matrai union unit activists Imran Hossain.

Kalai police station officer-in-charge (OC) Wasim Al-Bari told Protohm Alo that no arrest has been made in the two cases so far.

Former state minister for information and independent candidate from Pabna 1 (Santhia-parts of Bera) Abu Sayeed had been allegedly confined for three hours during the polls campaign.

Witness said Abu Sayeed left his house for polls campaign with several vehicles around 12:00pm. He was accompanied by Abdul Baten, who is the former mayor of Bera municipality and brother of Awami League-nominated candidate and parliament deputy speaker Shamsul Hoque Tuku.

At that time, a group of people surrounded his motorcade chanting slogans for boat symbols. As the motorcade arrived in Boalia Bazar of Santhia, they faced yet another barrier. At that time, Abu Sayeed along with his people got off the vehicles and took shelter in a shop.

Abu Sayeed alleged seven of his activists were injured after his motorcade had come under attack.

On information, Santhia uapazila nirbahi officer and assistant returning officer Alpona Yeasmin went to the spot around 4:00pm, and release Abu Sayeed.

Awami League-nominated candidate Shamsul Hoque Tuku could not be reached for comment over mobile phone.

Santhia police station officer-in-charge Anwar Hossain said, “On information, they sent forces in a bid to calm the situations.”

Returning officer and deputy commissioner Md Asduzzaman said, “I heard about the event and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take legal action."

Clash broke out between supporters of Awami League-nominated candidate Mahbubur Rhaman and independent candidate Abdur Rashid in jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) constituency, leaving four people injured.

Witness said a heated argument was exchanged between Mithu Mia, supporter of independent candidate Abdur Rashid, and Lutfor, supporter of Awami League-nominated candidate Mahbubur Rhaman, on the road in front of Sarishabari railway station around 11:30am, triggering a clash between both groups. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Independent candidate and Awami League leader Abdur Rauf expressed concerned over a fair election in the Kustiha-4 (Khoksa-Kumarkhali) constituency. He alleged that supporters of Awami League-nominated candidate and incumbent lawmaker Selim Altaf vandalised his election office and his residence in Kumarkhali.

Khoksa upazila nirbahi officer and assistant returning officer Irufa Sultana said none filed an allegation over vandalising election office.

Former lawmaker Talukdar Mohammad Towhid Jung alias Murad and Awami League’s Ashulia thana uni general secretary Mohamamd Saiful Islam are contesting the upcoming election from Dhaka-19 constituency (Savar-Ashulia). Leaders and activists of Awami League-nominated candidate and state minister Enamur Rahman allegedly attacked the camp offices of both independent candidates

Savar model police station inspector (operation) Noyon Karkun told Prothom Alo. “We have received a complaint on this incident,”

An election campaign rally and motorcade of independent candidate Yunus Islam Talukder came under attack in Bhuapur upazila of Tanail. Vehicles were also vandalised Yunus Islam blamed the supporters of Awami League-nominated candidate Taanvir Hasan alias Choto Monir for the attack.

Independent candidate Yunus Islam Talukder was holding a meeting with his leaders and activists at a branch office of an insurance company in the Bhuapur kitchen market area around 11:00am on Tuesday. At that time, a group of youth attack there. Yunus Islam said they filed complaint to police station citing attackers’ name.

Bhuapur police station officer-in-change Md Ahsan Ullah said police went to the spot and clam the situation.

Supporters of Awami League-nominated candidate allegedly beat two supporters of independent candidates Asif Abduklah Bin Kuddus and broke their hands and legs in Nator-4 (Gurudaspur-Boraigram). A case was filed with Gurudaspur police station. Gurudaspur police station officer-in-charge Uzzal Hossain confirmed the matter to Prothom Alo saying police are trying to arrest the accused.

*Prothom Alo’s Staff Correspondents and Correspondent from respective area contributed to this report.