Election 2008

15 injured as rivals attack procession of AK Khandaker

27 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Pabna

Alleged BNP cadres attacked upon an Awami League procession at 'Fakirer More' point of Sujanagar upazila under Pabna-2 constituency injuring at least 15 to 20 activists. Activists of AL and its wings including Chhatra League were coming to Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) AK Khandaker's rally at Sujanagar Pilot school premises. According to the sources, Sujanagr upazila unit AL organized a grand rally in support of Air Vice Marshal AK Khandaker, AL-led Grand Alliance nominee for Pabna-2 (Sujanagar and partly of Bera upazila) constituency yesterday. The rally was held at Sujanagar pilot high school premises at about 5 P.M. At least 25000 people from different areas of the constituency came to the rally. Pro-Khandaker men were coming to the rally with several processions. According to the sources, the BNP cadres attacked the AL procession on way to Khandaker's rally at 'Fakirer More' point. Locals claimed that the leaders and activists of AL and its wings of Satbaria and Bonkola villages were coming to the rally. When the procession reached the Fakirer More point the BNP cadres attacked the AL men. The BNP cadres beat the AL workers on the spot. At least 10 to 15 people were injured. Of them 5 Chhatra League activists received serious injuries. They were identified as Maruf (25), Rejaul Karim (30), Sohel Rana (25), Saiful Islam (23) and Rubel (20). They were admitted to Sujanagar Hospital, sources informed. Air Vice Marshall (retd) AK Khandaker claimed that it was a planned attack by the BNP cadres. “The BNP cadres attacked our procession as per an earlier plan. The BNP cadres torture people at different times. We hardly protested such attack.” AK Khandaker told this correspondent yesterday. Speaking at the rally AK Khandaker said “Vote for the symbol boat so that AL can remove all the oppression occurred by the four party alliance government. People's patience has exhausted. So give vote for peach and democracy.” He also urged the people to elect pro-liberation forces in December 29 election.