Chittagong: Accusing the ruling party men of carrying out the attack on his motorcade, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday described it as an attack on democracy and freethinkers.

"The incident has exposed the dirty Awami character, and the basic nature of the party... this attack is on democracy, freethinkers and nationalist forces," he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remark while speaking at a press conference at Chittagong Press Club.

Earlier, Fakhrul and some other party senior leaders were injured as local Awami League supporters allegedly attacked his motorcade at Isakhali in Rangunia upazila in Chittagong on their way to hillslides-hit Rangamati.

Fakhrul said though Awami League talks about democracy, the party does not believe in it and freedom of expression. "They've no tolerance to alternative views. The attack is also an instance of the government's intolerance."

He questioned as to why the ruling party men attacked them as they were going to Rangamati to show sympathy to the disaster-affected people, not to hold any political programme. "It seems to me a nightmare and incredible incident the way we're attacked. "If we face such a situation then what will happen to people?"

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is blocking political parties even to stand beside disaster victims. "Is there any politics left when the secretary general and other top leaders of a major party are attacked?"

About the attack, Fakhrul said 30-40 people equipped with roads, sticks and sharp weapon and stone suddenly attacked their vehicles at Isakhali Bazar amid rain. "I and some other leaders suffered injuries as the attackers vandalised our vehicles."

Replying to a question, he said local Awami League activists make the attack.