19 injured as Ferdous’ supporters clash, Whip Shamsul’s campaign convoy attacked

At least 19 people were injured in separate incidents during campaigns of Dhaka-10 Awami League candidate, film actor Ferdous Ahmed, and Chattogram-12 independent candidate Jatiya Sangsad Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury on Saturday.  

In Dhaka, the supporters of Awami League were locked in a clash during the campaign of Ferdous at Hatirpool area around 2:30pm, leaving at least 12 people injured. 

"The injured are currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. We have informed the relevant police station about the matter," Bachchu Mia, in-charge of the hospital's police outpost, told The Business Standard.

Sources said the clash erupted following a scuffle among the supporters over who would stand by Ferdous at the campaign.

In Chattogram, at least seven people were injured as the campaign convoy of Chattogram-12 independent candidate Shamsul was allegedly attacked by the supporters of the Awami League nominee in Patiya upazila.

Fazlul Haque Chowdhury, the younger brother of the Whip, was among the injured.

Whip Shamsul's son and also his chief election coordinator, Nazmul Karim Chowdhury alleged that some 15-20 people chanting slogans of the boat symbol attacked their convoy when they were crossing Shantirhat Bazar around 11:30am.

"They attacked the car that carried the Whip and broke its glass. They also vandalised a microbus and beat up the workers," said Nazmul.

The Whip's brother Fazlul has been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital and other injured were given primary treatment at Patiya Upazila Health Complex, said its on-duty physician Iram Abedin.

Patiya Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Ariful Islam told TBS, "We received complaints that the independent candidate of the eagle symbol came under an attack while campaigning. We are investigating the matter."

However, boat candidate Motaherul Islam Chowdhury could not be reached for his comment on the matter despite several attempts.