By Muhammad Shoaib
The main opposition party in Bangladesh, BNP, boycotted the national election scheduled for January 7th, turning the election uncontested. Meanwhile, due to pressure on the Sheikh Hasina government, especially from Western countries, particularly the United States, to make elections competitive and participatory and to ensure transparency in the upcoming elections, Sheikh Hasina has allowed independent and rebel candidates of her party to contest the elections apart from her party’s nominated candidates so that the election can be acceptable to the western world by showing the independent and rebel candidates as dummy opposition parties. As a result, the public referred to it as a ‘dummy election.’ Sheikh Hasina herself is deeply troubled by this.
Currently, there is a clash between supporters of her party nominated candidates and rebel or independent candidates, leading to acts of vandalism. In the 12 days since the start of the campaign for the parliamentary elections, there have been 184 reported cases of attacks, clashes, and vandalism across the country. Police sources indicate that 215 individuals have been arrested in connection with these incidents.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted in 12 locations across the country from last Saturday night to last Sunday night, resulting in 29 injuries. According to calculations by Prothom Alo, conflicts and violence have taken place in 129 locations during the last 14 days of the campaign.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG-Operations) Md. Anwar Hossain informed Prothom Alo that 184 cases were registered in various police stations nationwide during the 12 days from December 18 to December 29, related to attacks, clashes, vandalism, and other disruptive activities. In response, 215 individuals have been arrested.
Here are some examples:
Rajshahi-4:
In Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara) constituency, clashes and attacks took place between the supporters of the independent candidate and the boat candidate. 10 independent candidates and 4 boat candidates were injured in the attack. Apart from this, allegations of vandalizing the union office of Awami League have been made against the people of independent candidates. The incident took place in the Madariganj area of the upazila earlier in the evening.
Mymensingh-10 :
In Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon) Constituency, independent candidate Mohammad Abul Hossain’s convoy was allegedly attacked by the supporters of Fahmi Golandaj, the boat candidate. After the attack, supporters of the independent candidate protested in front of Gafargaon police station. The attack took place at Jamtoli area of Gafargaon upazila at around eight o’clock yesterday night.
Independent candidate Abul Hossain Mymensingh District Awami League Advisor told the Muslim mirror that 50 vehicles including motorcycles and cars were vandalized in a surprise attack.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gafargaon Police Station Shahinuzzaman told the Muslim mirror that a few cars were damaged in the attack on the rear of the independent candidate’s convoy. When Fahmi Golandaj was called to inquire about the complaint, he did not pick up the phone.
Natore-4:
In Natore-4 (Gurdaspur-Baraigram) constituency, five motorcycles of Awami League independent candidate Asif Abdullah bin Quddus (Truck) were beaten and vandalized. The victim activists blamed the workers of boat candidate Siddikur Rahman Patwari for the attack near Kachugari Eidgah of Baraigram upazila around 10 pm on Saturday.
Naogaon-5:
A worker of Naogaon-5 (Naogaon Sadar) seat independent candidate Dewan Chekar Ahmed alias Shishan was hacked and injured. Chhekar Ahmed alleged that the supporters of the boat candidate carried out the attack. Injured in the attack, Rezaul Islam (60) is a resident of Parnaogaon area of Ward No. 7 of Naogaon municipality. He is the former relief and social welfare affairs secretary of Naogaon Municipal Awami League.
Mahbubul Haque, president of Sadar Upazila Awami League, a follower of the boat candidate Nizam Uddin Jalil, said, “Anyone can file a complaint.” However, the extent of its authenticity can be said subject to investigation. Imposing responsibility on someone without investigation is a sign of irresponsibility.
Rangpur-2:
A supporter of Rangpur-2 (Taraganj-Badarganj) constituency independent candidate and central leader of Krishak League Viswanath Sarkar was beaten up. The victim Chenar Ali gave a written complaint to the District Returning Officer on Saturday evening that Taraganj Upazila Awami League general secretary Harun Or Rashid had beaten him up.
Brahmanbaria-II:
A general diary has been lodged at the police station on the charge of beating and threatening to kill a worker of former joint secretary of district Awami League Moin Uddin (banana stick), an independent candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency. Sheikh Ashrafur Rahman, general secretary of Awami League, ward number 8 branch of Chunta Union of Sarail Upazila, appeared at the police station at around 11 o’clock yesterday and filed the GD against three people including Sheikh Jamshed Ali, the sister-in-law of another independent candidate, former member of parliament Ziaul Haque Mridhar (Eagle).
Laxmipur-II:
An attack took place on Sheikh Faiz Ullah Shipon, the election coordinator of the independent candidate of Laxmipur-2 (Raipur) constituency. He was attacked yesterday while campaigning for an independent candidate. Independent candidate Selina Islam of Eagle symbol was present during the incident. Selina Islam Member of Parliament for reserved seat and wife of former Member of Parliament Shaheed Islam Papul.
Rajshahi-1:
He alleged that miscreants set fire to the election camp of actress Mahia Mahir (Sharmin Akhtar), an independent candidate for Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency. He said that the incident took place in Bhagail village of Deopara union of Godagari upazila on Saturday around 2:30 am.
Madaripur-3:
In Madaripur-3 (part of Sadar, Kalkini and Dasar) constituencies in Kalkini upazila, an allegation was found against supporters of independent candidate Tahmina Begum of attacking and vandalizing the residence of a freedom fighter, a supporter of boat candidate Abdus Sobhan Golap. The incident took place on Saturday night at the house of veteran freedom fighter Mujibur Rahman Sardar of North Krishnanagar area, former councilor of Ward No. 5 of Kalkini Municipality.