The government has condemned the attack at an election campaign event of Ershad Ullah, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s nominated candidate for Chittagong-8, on Wednesday.
A statement issued by the interim government said that an immediate investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) indicated Ershad Ullah was not the intended target, but was hit by a stray bullet. The government wished him a speedy recovery and ordered a full probe.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, the statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the safety and rights of all candidates and citizens participating in the democratic process.
The chief adviser has instructed security forces to make every effort to identify and apprehend the attackers and bring them swiftly to justice, adding that violence and intimidation have no place in the country’s political and social life. The CMP has already launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The interim government also called on all political actors and their supporters to maintain calm, exercise restraint, and ensure that the February general election is held in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and fairness.
The statement concluded that the government will take all necessary measures to guarantee the secure and peaceful conditions required for free, fair, and credible elections across Bangladesh.
