Five supporters, including four women, of an independent candidate were injured in an attack allegedly by supporters of the Awami League candidate while campaigning in Rajshahi-4 constituency-4 (Bagmara upazila) yesterday.
The injured were identified as Shafinur Nahar, vice-president of Hamirkutsa union unit of Awami League; Ishrat Jahan Beauty, forest and environment affairs secretary of Jogipara union Mohila League; Papia Jahan and Sharmin Akhter, nieces of independent candidate Enamul Haque MP; and CNG-run autorickshaw driver Shahjahan Ali.
Of them, Shafinur, Beauty and Shahjahan were hospitalised at Bagmar Upazila Health Complex while the rest were released after providing first aid.
The victims said they went to Sakhopara village under Hamirkutsa union by two CNG-run autorickshaws to campaign for the independent candidate Enamul yesterday afternoon.
The union Awami League’s organizing secretary Khorshed Alam, who is a supporter of the Awami League candidate Abul Kalam Azad, barred them from handing out publicity handbills among voters, they said.
At one stage, their groups got locked into an altercation which led to an attack on them, leaving five people including the four women injured, they said.
Later, locals rescued them and sent them to the Upazila Health Complex.
Independent candidate Enamul alleged that supporters of the “boat” candidate are constantly attacking and beating his supporters campaigning for the “scissors” (his electoral symbol).
Demanding justice for his supporters, he said no civilised person can attack women and these attacks are having an impact on the election.
He said that the attackers would not have dared if the administration had taken a tough stance.
Additional Superintendent of Police in Rajshahi, Rafiqul Islam, confirmed the matter saying that the injured were rescued after police went to the spot upon receiving information.
Three of the injured were sent to the hospital, he said, adding that legal action will be taken once complaints are lodged in this connection.