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Hasina's motorcade attacked, arches demolished:11 hurt

AKTER FARUK SHAHiN, Barisal
Awami League (AL) President and Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina began a five-day visit to five districts of Barisal Division yesterday amidst obstructions and attack on her motorcade and AL leaders and workers allegedly by BNP activists yesterday and the night before.
Hasina's motorcade came under attack as it reached Gournadi in Barisal just after noon.
At least 11 leaders and workers of AL units were injured by the attackers, who also assaulted some journalists.
Of the injured, one was sent to Dhaka for treatment and two were admitted to the medical college hospital here.
Besides, alleged BNP workers demolished seven welcome arches at different places and hijacked some motorcycles of AL activists.
But BNP denied the allegation of attacks and described the incidents as AL's pre-planned and self-staged drama for political gains. The party announced a programme at Gournadi this afternoon to protest what it said is AL's bid to create disorder.
Hasina is in Barisal on her second visit to this region in five weeks. During her previous visit also, her
motorcade was attacked and some party leaders and activists injured on February 25.
This time she is scheduled to address six public meetings, besides roadside rallies, in Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalakati and Pirojpur.
According to witnesses, the former prime minister's motorcade reached
Gournadi shortly after noon. Golam Sarwar Faruk, AL leader and chairman of Gournadi Municipality, and other partymen proceeded to receive her.
Police however prevented them saying the programme was unscheduled. Jubo League chief Kabir Nanak, Sechchhasebak League chief Bahauddin Nasim and other leaders protested this.
At this stage, a group of BNP activists chased the crowd and attacked Hasina's
Motorcade. They also chased journalists.
At a press briefing at Barisal Circuit House later, AL leader and former state minister Obaidul
Kader said, "The BNP attackers carried fire arms and other lethal weapons and tried to hit the car carrying Sheikh Hasina."
Party leaders accompanying
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Hasina alleged the attack was preplanned and instigated by Zahiruddin Swapan, local BNP lawmaker. They condemned the attack and demanded punishment of the attackers.
Leaders present at the briefing included Tofael Ahmed, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
Hasina left Barisal in the afternoon to address a public meeting at Patuakhali.