Online Desk: Independent candidate of Chuadanga-1 constituency, Dilip Kumar Agarwala, was allegedly assaulted on Saturday night in the New Bhandardah area of Chuadanga Sadar upazila.

Agarwala claims supporters of the ‘boat’ symbol attacked him and his followers, brandishing weapons and issuing death threats.

The incident prompted a swift response from local law enforcement. Police detained four individuals linked to the ‘boat’ faction, including Ali Hasanuzzaman Manik, General Secretary of Sadar upazila unit of Awami League and Chairman of Kutubpur Union Parishad.

Chuadanga’s Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr. Kissinger Chakma, along with Superintendent of Police RM Faizur Rahman and other senior officials, visited the site immediately upon receiving news of the altercation.

To quell further unrest, authorities have bolstered police presence in several key areas, including Chuadanga city, Shankchandra union, and Kutubpur union. Patrols have also been increased in New Bhandardaha village.

The violence reportedly extended to several members of the district Jubo Mohila League. President Afroza Parvin, acting general secretary Aliza Khatun, and election workers Naznin Akhter, Rakib, Salman, and Afil sustained injuries during the incident.

Reflecting on the attack, Agarwala expressed his disillusionment: “I anticipated respect as a candidate, but the hostility and repeated attacks my activists and I endured, including threats of death, are wholly unacceptable.”

Nazim Uddin Al Azad, Chuadanga’s Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops), reported that police teams quickly intervened to stabilize the situation. He confirmed that a formal complaint is in the process of being filed.