1 shot as assailants vandalize BNP campaign office in Shibpur

A fourth-grader of a local madrasa was shot, while four others were injured, as assailants vandalized the campaign office of the BNP candidate Manjur Elahi in the Narsingdi 3 constituency – which covers the district’s Shibpur upazila – on Saturday afternoon. 

Shibpur police station OC Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune. 

The injured were taken to the Shibpur Upazila Health Complex and Narsingdi General Hospital for treatment. 

According to local eyewitnesses and BNP activists, a large group of individuals belonging to the Awami League and its affiliates arrived in four cars and stormed the office, located at the Dhiman Market near Shibpur College. 

They vandalized 16 motorcycles and six cars parked in the premises, and fired guns indiscriminately. 

At the time, a Class 4 student of a local madrasa was hit by a stray bullet. Four other people were also injured. 

The assailants were chanting “nouka” (boat – the electoral symbol of the ruling Awami League) during the attack, said BNP’s Shibpur unit President Abdul Harris Rikabdar, further alleging that the entire incident took place in front of police officials, who did nothing to stop the attack. 

The Dhaka Tribune contacted local Awami League candidate Zahirul Haque Mohan over phone about the attack, but he said he was busy and disconnected the phone. 

Shibpur OC Azad said police were working to arrest the attackers, no matter which party they belong to.