15, including ex-AAG, injured in reported attack by BNP men in Bhola

At least 15 people, including former assistant attorney general ABM Ibrahim Khalil, were injured in an alleged attack by Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal activists today (10 June) in Bhola's Daulatkhan upazila while speaking at a farmers' rally.

The local Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, however, have denied the allegations.

The reported incident occurred around 1:15pm, when Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal activists reportedly clashed with locals in front of Charshubi madrasah in Ghosherhat village under Syedpur union over establishing dominance in the area.

According to the injured, the attackers also snatched four motorcycles and four mobile phones.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Ibrahim Khalil said he had been distributing leaflets since morning in Borhanuddin upazila as part of an initiative to publicise the BNP's 31-point reform proposal, presented by Tarique Rahman.

After completing the distribution there, he headed to Daulatkhan to join a human chain and rally organised by landless farmers.

"As I was addressing the gathering, a group of around 20 people, led by local Jubo Dal leader Sohel, Kuddus, and Chhatra Dal leader Ismail, suddenly attacked us with sticks and rods," Khalil alleged.

"Fifteen of us were injured. We brought the critically injured to Bhola Sadar Hospital for treatment," he added.

Khalil also alleged that the attackers vandalised his vehicle and looted four motorcycles and mobile phones from his team.

However, when contacted, Daulatkhan Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Abu Hena Riaz and Chhatra Dal Convener Md Sohan Howlader denied any involvement of their activists in the attack.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daulatkhan Police Station, Zillur Rahman, said, "No complaint had been received yet. Upon hearing the attack, we visited the scene and recovered three motorcycles. Legal action will be taken once a formal complaint is filed."