Rajapur (Jhalakathi) Correspondent 

At least 10 leaders and activists were injured in an attack on the convoy of BNP leader Golam Azam Saikat on his way home after distributing leaflets and holding a public meeting on BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's 31-point program for state reforms in Shuktagar Union of Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakathi.

The attack took place at Sonali intersection adjacent to Putiakhali Mir Hat in Galua Union of the upazila around 12 midnight on Saturday (October 11). Eyewitnesses and party sources said that Saikat's motorcade was returning to his home after distributing leaflets. At that time, Jamal's followers attacked Saikat's motorcade when it was passing the motorcade of Rafiqul Islam Jamal, the religious affairs secretary of the BNP central executive committee, who was traveling on the same route. The attackers stopped a Hayes microbus in the last of the motorcade, attacked the driver Rafiq and vandalized the vehicle. 

At least 10 leaders and activists, including Sramik Dal leader Sohel, BNP leader Yunus Member, Ilias Molla, Ripon Biswas, were injured in the incident. It is reported that the injured have been given primary treatment locally. Tension prevails in the area due to the incident. According to local sources, police were deployed at the scene at night to control the situation.

I BNP candidate for Jhalokati-1 (Rajapur-Kantalia) constituency Golam Azam Saikat said, "We were returning home after peacefully distributing leaflets of the 31-point program and holding a public meeting. On the way, a pre-planned attack was launched on our convoy. Several of our leaders and activists were injured and a vehicle was vandalized. BNP is in the way of the movement—this is what they cannot tolerate. I demand the speedy arrest and trial of those involved in this incident."

In this regard, the accused BNP Central Executive Committee Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Rafiqul Islam Jamal denied the allegations and said, "Neither I nor any of my workers were involved in the attack on the Golam Azam Beach convoy. We were returning to our respective destinations after completing our party program peacefully. Someone is trying to create confusion for political purposes by using our name to cause the incident."

‎