Former lawmaker of Faridpur-3 and former president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry AK Azad faced an attack during a public rally on Sunday, when local Juba Dal activists protested and allegedly vandalised two vehicles in his motorcade.
The incident occurred at around 4:30pm at Pormanandpur Bazar in Krishna Nagar Union, Faridpur Sadar, where Azad had gathered for a public meeting after performing afternoon prayers at a nearby mosque.
Eyewitnesses said that a procession, led by Lutfur Rahman, former joint secretary of Sadar upazila Jubo Dal, and Nannu Molla, Krishna Nagar Union Juba Dal president, approached the rally and began chanting slogans, calling Azad an 鈥榓lly of the Awami League.鈥�
Tensions escalated as activists tried to encircle Azad鈥檚 motorcade, prompting his security team to intervene.
Police arrived at the scene and managed to disperse the crowd, allowing Azad and his motorcade to leave safely. However, protesters reportedly damaged the windows of two cars in the convoy by striking them with sugarcane sticks.
Azad condemned the attack, calling it unprecedented in local political history. 鈥楧uring the last elections, even Awami League candidate Shamim Haque did not behave this way. Such incidents will deepen political crises,鈥� he said.
He also mentioned that he was preparing to file a case over the incident.
Nayab Yusuf, central women鈥檚 wing joint secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Faridpur-3 aspirant, denied involvement.
He told the media that he had instructed his supporters not to engage in any violent actions and had informed local police to maintain vigilance.
Yusuf added that Azad鈥檚 motorcade included Awami League leaders, which may have fuelled public resentment.
Police and local authorities confirmed that the clash arose due to the convergence of two political groups in a market area.
Officer-in-charge Mohammad Asaduzzaman of Faridpur Kotwali Thana stated that police handled the situation with restraint, ensuring Azad鈥檚 convoy passed without further incident.
Separately, at around 7:3pm, the district Chhatra Dal organised a torch procession from Government Rajendra College through key streets, concluding at the Faridpur Press Club.
Participants chanted slogans like 鈥楤eware of Awami League agents鈥� and 鈥楩ight against fascists together鈥�, expressing political dissent and solidarity.
