8 injured in reported attack on NCP, SAD members in Ashulia for opposing illegal lead factory operations
At least eight people were injured in an attack on a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and local Students Against Discrimination (SAD) leaders in Ashulia for reportedly obstructing the operation of an illegal lead-producing factory by ratting them out to the police.
The incident occurred around midnight on Wednesday (14 May) in the Shimulia area of Ashulia, after which the NCP and SAD members alleged that the factory illegally burned batteries to produce lead.
Speaking about the reported attack, Ashulia Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Kamal Hossain said, "We have received the report. A written complaint is in process from the victims. Once received, an investigation will be carried out and legal action taken against those responsible."
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Enam Medical College Hospital duty manager Shafiqul Islam told The Business Standard that three individuals had been admitted, one on the night of the incident and two more in the following afternoon. "They are currently under treatment."
The rest were treated at Savar Upazila Health Complex and other hospitals.
The injured have been identified as Rifat Ahmed Emon, central organiser of the NCP's Labour Wing; Tawhidul Islam Sanvi, SAD joint member secretary, Hridoy Hasan, senior co-chief organiser, Obaidul Islam, joint convener, member secretaries Al Masum Sojib, Fahadul Islam Fahad, Syed Emon, and Tawhid Ahmed Shanto.
The victims said Ashulia police arrived at the scene and rescued them.
NCP's Rifat Ahmed Emon told TBS, "We came to know about the illegal lead factory and reported it to the authorities. We asked why it was operating without approval, even after being shut down by the upazila administration. We were told to leave after requesting them not to run it without permission.
"About two kilometres away, a group of people in a vehicle blocked our path with local weapons. When we tried to talk, they started beating up the others. When I tried to intervene, they attacked me too."
