At least 10 activists of independent candidate of Noakhali-3 constituency Minhaz Ahmed Javed and two journalists were injured in an alleged attack by supporters of Awami League candidate of the same constituency Mamunur Rashid Kiron.

The incident took place at Gabua Bazar on Maijdi-Chowmuhani regional highway in Ekalashpur union of Begumganj uapzila on Friday evening.

Locals said that after campaigning, independent candidate Minhaz Ahmed Javed was coming back to Chowmuhani. But when he reached Gabua Bazar, some supporters of boat candidate Mamunur Rashid Kiron attacked him with sticks and local weapons.

At that time, two cars including an ATN Bangla car were vandalized.

ATN Bangla reporter Md Nazibur Rahman, cameraman HM Ehsan Sajan, independent candidates’ activists Humayun Kabir, Md Rashed, Raihan, Tofazzal Hossain, Farrukh Ahmed, Ifaz, Ripon, Ismail, Pranto, Rubel and Apon were injured in the attack. 

They were admitted to Begumganj Upazila Health Complex immediately.

Independent candidate Minhaz Ahmed Jabed said, "When we reached Gabua Bazar on our way back to Chaumuhani after meeting voters in Tulabari area of Ekalashpur, a group of armed terrorists attacked our motorcade suddenly. Ten of my activists and two journalists were seriously injured.”

Begumganj Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Nazmul Hasan Rajib, Begumganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mohinul Hasan, Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anwarul Islam and senior officials visited the spot.

Begumganj Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Md Nazmul Hasan Rajib said, "We will identify the attackers after watching video footage and take immediate action and exemplary punishment."