Companyganj AL leader injured in rivals’ attack

The organising secretary of Noakhali's Companyganj Upazila Awami League, Mizanur Rahman Badal, has been injured in an attack allegedly by his rivals.

He blamed followers of Basurhat Municipality Mayor Abdul Quader Mirza for the attack.

Meanwhile, Upazila Awami League spokesperson Mahbubur Rahman Monju has called a 48-hour hartal in protest against the attack. He made the announcement on Facebook live soon after the incident, where he called upon local leaders and activists to join the protest.

The incident took place around 9 am today when Badal along with one of his associates was heading towards Dhaka on his private vehicle.

When he reached the Basurhat bazaar, around 35 followers of Quader Mirza carried out an attack on him, beaten him up, and vandalised the vehicle.

A rickshaw puller rescued him and took him to Companyganj Upazila Health Complex. After providing first aid, he was shifted to Dhaka for better treatment.

Meanwhile, after the news spread, Mizanur Rahman Badal's supporters blocked  Peshkarhat Road, Char Elahi and Charfakira areas of the upazila. Badal's supporters set fire to tree trunks and tires on various roads.

Several attempts were made to contact Mayor Abdul Quader Mirza on his mobile phone to talk about the incident but he did not receive the call.

Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Companyganj Police Station, said, "Badal blamed Abdul Quader Mirza for the attack. However, no written complaint was lodged until the filing of this report."