At least ten campaigners for independent candidate Minhaz Ahmed Javed of Noakhali-3 constituency and two journalists were hurt in an alleged attack by supporters of Awami League candidate Mamunur Rashid Kiron of the same constituency.

On Friday December 29 evening, the event occurred at Gabua Bazar on the Maijdi-Chowmuhani regional route in Ekalashpur union of Begumganj uapzila.

According to locals, independent candidate Minhaz Ahmed Javed was returning to Chowmuhani after campaigning. When he arrived in Gabua Bazar, however, he was attacked with sticks and local weapons by supporters of boat candidate Mamunur Rashid Kiron.

"At that time, 2 cars including an ATN Bangla news channel car were vandalized"

The attack injured ATN Bangla reporter Md Nazibur Rahman, cameraman HM Ehsan Sajan, and independent candidates' activists Humayun Kabir, Md Rashed, Raihan, Tofazzal Hossain, Farrukh Ahmed, Ifaz, Ripon, Ismail, Pranto, Rubel, and Apon.

They were immediately admitted to the Begumganj Upazila Health Complex.

"When we arrived in Gabua Bazar on our way back to Chaumuhani after meeting voters in the Tulabari area of Ekalashpur, a group of armed terrorists suddenly attacked our motorcade," said independent candidate Minhaz Ahmed Jabed. Ten of my campaigners were critically hurt, as were two journalists."

Begumganj Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police Nazmul Hasan Rajib, Begumganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mohinul Hasan, Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anwarul Islam, and other top officials paid a visit to the scene.

"We will identify the attackers after watching video footage," said Begumganj Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Md Nazmul Hasan Rajib, "and take immediate action and exemplary punishment."