A boat installed in a public spot by Awami League supporters as part of their electioneering was set on fire allegedly by supporters of an independent candidate for the Lalmonirhat-1 constituency in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat on Saturday morning.

Awami League leaders accused supporters of independent candidate and former Sonali Bank MD Ataur Rahman Prodhan.

The incident took place at Hatkhola Bazar of Gaddimari village, under the Gaddimari union of the upazila.

Gaddimari Union Parishad Chairman and Upazila Awami League Organizing Secretary Abu Bakar Siddique Shyamol said preparation is underway to file a case over the incident. 

The boat was put up on two bamboo poles as part of their election campaign at Hatkhola Bazar. It was set on fire in the early hours of Saturday.

Abu Bakar Siddique Shyamol said, "When we hung the boat in the market, the supporters of the eagle symbol (Prodhan's symbol) obstructed us.”

The boat was hung opposite the house of the grandfather of the eagle symbol candidate, Ataur Rahman, and his election office.

“They brought AC land and tried to remove the boat symbol but failed; after that, they set the boat on fire on Saturday morning,” he added.

Mostafizur Rahman Milu, a campaigner of the eagle symbol, said, “We did not set the fire. They are the ones obstructing our campaign.”

Independent candidate Ataur Rahman did not respond to repeated calls seeking comment.

However, his election coordinator Sarwar Hayat Khan said, "We did not set fire to the boat. They are blaming us after staging it.”

Hatibandha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam said, “No complaint has been received in this regard yet. Necessary steps will be taken after we get an official complaint.”