BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade came under attack at Kawran Bazar in Dhaka on Monday during her city election canvass for the party-backed mayoral candidate Tabith Awal, but the immediate steps by her own security forces helped her escape injuries.

A group of people attacked the motorcade while BNP chief Khaleda was addressing to the traders of Kawran Bazar kitchen market in front of Bangladesh Rural Development Board office, popularly known as Palli Bhaban.

Witnesses said that a group of around 20 people, allegedly from Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo Leage activists were chanting Joy Bangla slogans behind Khaleda’s motorcade at about 6:00pm. Later, a group of them engaged in scuffles with BNP men while the BNP men tried to chase them away.

Within a minute, the group of attackers returned with a group of 50 to 60 people having wooden sticks and rods. They swooped on and vandalised several vehicles from Khaleda’s motorcade, mostly carrying Chairperson Security Force (CSF) officials. They also broke glasses of several vehicles with wooden sticks.

However, Khaleda Zia managed to escape from injuries, confirmed her press wing official Shairul Kabir Khan.

During a visit to the area, pieces of broken glasses were seen from in front of Palli Bhaban to near Petrobangla office. Five vehicles were found having damages in the front mirror. 

The group carried out attacks in most of the vehicles of Khaleda’s motorcade from behind and chased them away from the area. Later the group held a procession chanting slogans of Joy Bangla and walked towards Kawran Bazar kitchen market, said witnesses.

‘The motorcade was attacked brutally from the behind. Prior to the attack, the procession was chanting slogans seeking votes for ward 26 councilor aspirant Shamim Hasan and for AL led candidate Annisul Huq,’ said a pickup driver wishing anonymity.

The pickup, owned by this driver also had damages and the glass was broken during the attck.

However, the BNP chief continued campaigning for BNP backed candidates in different areas including Shahjahanpur, Paltan, Malibagh, Khilgaon etc.

The motorcade was at Rampura till filing of the report at 8:37pm.