11 killed in electoral violence
Dhaka: At least eleven persons were killed during the first phase of union voting and post-electoral violence across the country.
Five persons were killed on the spot and later in a hospital after being shot by law enforcers at Dhanishapa in Pirojpur; two killed in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf, and one each in Jhalkathi, Patuakhali, Sirajganj’s Raiganj, and Netrakona.
Pirojpur
At least five people were killed in police-BGB firing during a post‑election clash in Dhanishapa union at Mathbaria on Tuesday evening.
District police superintendent Walid Hossain identified three of the deceased as Shahadat, Sohel and Quamrul.
Executive Magistrate Kazi Ziaul Baset said a group of around 700 people, equipped with local weapons, intercepted the presiding officer in the area at about 8:30pm when he under the escort of police and Border Guard Bangladesh members was returning to the UNO office from Dhanishapa Degree College centre with election result sheets after the voting.
‘The people tried to swoop on the presiding officer and snatch the result sheet,’ he said.
As he tried to prevent them, they also attacked him, the magistrate added.
Later, magistrate Baset ordered the law enforcers to fire shots in order to bring the situation under control.
Police and BGB members then fired 29 shots, Baset added.
Police officer Walid said three people were killed on the spot.
Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries at Barisal
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said the officer-in-charge of Mathbaria Police Station.
Major Mozammel Haque of BGB said he heard that several people were killed in the incident.
Netrakona
The younger brother of Awami League chairman candidate in Sadar union council (UC) of Khaliajhuri upazila was shot dead in a clash between the law enforcers and the AL men during vote count at a polling centre on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Kawsar, the younger brother of Abu Ishak.
Locals said the clash ensued between the law enforcers and a group of Ishak’s supporters as the latter tried to forcefully enter the polling centre at Adhaura Gov Primary School during the vote count.
Police fired several bullets to control the situation, leaving Kawsar dead, said additional superintendent of police Khan Mohammad Abu Naser.
Jhalakati
A man in his sixties was killed and 10 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of two member candidates in Nabagram union of Sadar upazila during the election on Tuesday.
Witnesses said the clash erupted around 1:00pm when the supporters of Chunnu Shikdar obstructed the followers of Sajib Hossain when they tried to capture Kaliandar polling centre.
The both groups attacked each other, leaving Abul Kashem Shikdar, brother of Chunnu Shikdar, dead on the spot.
Cox’s Bazar
An individual chairman candidate’s brother was shot and killed during clash between supporters of rival candidates and police at Sabrang bazar in Teknaf of Cox’s bazar.
Police said: individual candidate Nur Hossain was declared winner in Sabrang union elections at about 9:00pm. After this announcement, ruling Awami League candidate Sona Ali’s supporters took out a protest procession and tried to block a road at Sabrang Bazar. They also attacked supporters of Nur Hossain. Police charged batons to disperse the clashing people. Later, they shot bullets. Nur Hossain’s brother Abdul Gafur got shot and died on the spot.
In another clash at Ward 7, supporters of a member candidate carried out an attack on the supporters of a rival candidate, who was declared winner. During the clash Shafiq Alam Dudu Mia was killed.
Patuakhali
A man, who was injured during a clash between the supporters of Awami League and rebel candidates at Baufal in Patuakhali, died undergoing treatment at a hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased is Humayun Mallik, father of Kalishuri union Juba League presidet Sohel Mallik. Sohel was taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Sirajganj
A woman was stampede during a clash between the supporters of two union member candidates at a primary school voting centre in Raiganj upazila in Sirajganj.