Case filed seven years after attack on Khaleda Zia's motorcade in Feni

A case has been filed seven years after the attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's motorcade in Feni's Chhagalnaiya.

The case names 251 individuals, including the former MP of Feni-1 constituency and ex-protocol officer of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, as the prime accused. An additional 150-200 unidentified people have also been charged.

Sultan Mohammad Sikandar Bhutto, former finance secretary of Chhagalnaiya upazila unit of BNP, filed the case at Chhagalnaiya Police Station on Wednesday.

Md. Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chhagalnaiya Police Station confirmed the details on Thursday night (10 October).

According to the case statement, on 28 October 2017, during Khaleda Zia's trip to Cox's Bazar to visit Rohingya refugee camps and distribute relief, her motorcade was attacked by Awami League activists at Muhuriganj on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The attackers allegedly hurled bombs and fired shots, injuring several people, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Other notable accused include Jalal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Pappu, member of the Awami League's central relief and social welfare subcommittee; Khaerul Bashar Majumdar Tapan, former chairman of Feni District Council; Mezbabul Haider Chowdhury Sohel, former chairman of Chhagalnaiya Upazila Parishad; Abdul Alim Majumdar, former chairman of Phulgazi Upazila Parishad; Harun Majumdar, former chairman of Phulgazi Upazila Parishad; Kamal Uddin Majumdar, former chairman of Parshuram Upazila Parishad; Nizam Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Sajel, former mayor of Parshuram Municipality; and Mohammad Mostafa, former mayor of Chhagalnaiya Municipality.

Sikandar Bhutto alleged that the attack was aimed at assassinating Khaleda Zia. He claimed that 25-30 vehicles were vandalized during the attack, causing losses amounting to Tk 1.05 crore.

He further explained that it was not possible to file the case under the previous government, but with the restoration of democratic conditions in the country, he is now able to proceed with legal action.

OC Md. Nazrul Islam said that police have begun investigating the case and will take necessary legal actions against those involved.