Photo: Courtesy
A BNP leader was killed and at least 50 others injured on Friday afternoon in an attack carried out allegedly by Awami League activists on the motorcade of SM Zilani, the central president of the Jatiyatabadi Shecchasebok Dal, , in Gopalganj sadar upazila.
The deceased was identified as Shawkat Ali Didar, 40, who was the Sports Secretary of the central committee of the Secchasebok Dal.
The injured include SM Zilani, his wife and Gopalganj district Mahila Dal president Rowshan Ara Ratna, and several others.
They have been admitted to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital and the Tungipara Upazila Health Complex. Some of the injured are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
Among the injured are BNP and Shecchasebok Dal leaders and activists from Dhaka and Gopalganj.
Additionally, the camera person for Channel I, HM Manik, was assaulted and his mobile phone was stolen.
Critical conditions of SM Zilani, his wife, and other leaders led to their transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
According to Sharif Rafiq Uzzaman, convener of Gopalganj district BNP, a BNP rally was held at Bhedgram intersection on Friday afternoon. After the rally, SM Zilani’s convoy was heading to Tungipara to visit his parents' graves. When the convoy reached Ghona Para, 200-300 Awami League members set up roadblocks and attacked the vehicles, vandalizing at least 10 cars and assaulting the convoy members.
Gopalganj Sadar Upazila BNP President Sikder Shahidul Islam Lelin said that after the peaceful rally, they were heading to Tungipara when their convoy was attacked by local Awami League leaders Amin Molla, Jikrul Faruk, Alimuzzaman, and Hasan Molla.
Dr Faruk Ahmed, a residential medical officer at Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital, stated that 16 injured people had been treated at the hospital. Some are in critical condition and have been sent to Dhaka.
Alimuzzaman, an Awami League leader from Ghona Para, claimed the attack was provoked by the tearing of banners featuring images of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina.
He said local residents organized to prevent this, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Gopalganj Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Anisur Rahman said the exact reason for the incident is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to a dispute centring banner issue.
The body of Shawkat Ali Didar was found near the Dola Pump on the Dhaka-Khulna Highway.
The body was sent to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital for autopsy.
