Alleged BNP, Jubodal activists beat Rajshahi AL leader, break his leg

Alleged BNP and its youth wing Jatiotabadi Jubodal activists today (4 January) assaulted a local Awami League leader by tying him to an electric pole and beating him with rods, resulting in severe injuries, including a broken leg in Rajshahi's Puthia upazila.

The incident occurred around 10am near the Birdaldah Mazar area in the upazila, Puthia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kabir Hossain told The Business Standard.

"No complaint has been filed about the incident yet. Legal action will be taken upon receiving a complaint," the OC added.

The victim identified as Aliuzzaman Muntu alias Muntu Master, is the president of Baneshwar Union Awami League and also a retired headmaster of Birdaldah Girls' High School.

Muntu, who reportedly went into hiding following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, is the paternal uncle of former state minister and district Awami League general secretary Abdul Wadud Dara.

Following the assault, locals rescued him and took him to Puthia Health Complex, from where he was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Talking to TBS, Muntu said, "When I went to the Birdaldah market, some local BNP activists tied me to an electric pole and beat me with sharp weapons, rods, and hammers, breaking my leg.

"Among those involved in the assault were Mithun, 32, Ahsan Habib, 34, Ahad Ali, 28, Jewel, 36, and Wasim, 39. All are the BNP and Jubodal activists from Birdaldah village."

However, denying the allegations, accused BNP activist Mithun said, "I was busy with my uncle's funeral. There is no question of beating anyone. Those who are accusing me killed my father and brother when the Awami League government was in power.

"Muntu is known as the 'education minister' in the area. He has embezzled money from hundreds of people by promising them jobs. For these reasons, the victims may have attacked him," he added.