Polls violence leaves 11 dead in 10 districts


FE Team | Published: December 30, 2018 13:46:13 | Updated: December 30, 2018 16:57:23


Representational Image (Focus Bangla)

At least eleven people were killed in election-related violence in Noakhali, Rangamati, Chattogram, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Natore, Tangail, Narsingdi, Bogura, and Brahmanbaria districts on Sunday.

In Noakhali, Nurun Nabi, an Ansar member, was shot dead by some miscreants at Tulachara Primary School Polling station of Noakhali-3 constituency, said presiding officer Professor Dr. Suchon Chowdhury.

In Rangamati, a local Jubo league leader was killed in an attack allegedly by some BNP activists at Kashkhali union in Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati district in the morning.

The deceased was identified as Bashir Uddin, general secretary of Kashkhali union Jubo Legue unit, reports UNB.

Smrity Bikash Tripura, a member of Rangamati Zila Parishad, said that an altercation took place between some supporters of BNP and Awami League (AL) on Saturday night.

As a sequel to the altercation, BNP men attacked Bashir and one of his followers while they were going to polling station in the morning, leaving them critically injured, he said.

Among the injured, Bashir died on the way to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.

In Chattogram, a Jatiya Party activist— Kabir Ahmed, 45—was killed in a clash with AL men at Katharia in Banshkhali upazila on Sunday morning.

Jatiya Party aspirant for Chattogram- 16 constituency Mahmud Chowdhury alleged that some leaders and activists of ruling Awami League and Jubo League tried to stamp seal on Boat symbol after capturing Baraitali government primary school polling centre on Saturday night.

As the JP activists tried to resist them, they opened fire on them, triggering a clash that left Kabir dead and several others injured.

Ballot boxes were stuffed in 20 polling centres in the constituency overnight, Mr Chowdhury claimed.

On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control and recovered the body from the spot, said Kamal Hasan, officer-in-charge of Banshkhali Police Station.

In Cumilla, Bachchu Mia, 35, a resident of Sundial village in Nangalkot upazila, was killed in a clash between the supporters of AL and BNP in the morning, police said.

Besides, a rickshaw-puller—MuziburRahman, 35, son of Sujat Ali of Muradnagar village of the upazila—was killed in a clash between the activists of AL and BNP men at Pachhim Belashwar village in Chandian upazila.

In Rajshahi, Merajul Islam, 30, son of late Abdus Sattar and an Awami League supporter, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men in Pakuria Government High School centre in Jahanabad union of Mohonpur upazila around 11:00am over occupying a polling centre of Rajshahi-3 constituency, said Rajshahi district police superintendent Shahidullah.

In Tangail, police recovered the body of BNP ward unit president Abdul Aziz, 65, who remained missing since Saturday, from Nagda Shimla area in Gopalpur upazila.

In Natore, Hussain Ali, an Awami League supporter, was stabbed to death by his nephew Ratan Fakir following an altercation over casting vote at Samskholsi village in Naldanga upazila.

Shafiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Naldanga Police station, said that Hussain Ali and his nephew Ratan were supporters of Awami League.

Hussain and Ratan locked into an altercation as Ratan's wife cast her vote for 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol.

At one stage, Ratan stabbed his uncle, leaving him critically injured. The injured was taken to Natore Sadar Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

In Narsingdi, Milon Miah, 35, an AL polling agent, was hacked and slaughtered allegedly by supporters of opposition (independent) candidate at Kundarpara Primary School centre of Shibpur of Narsingdi-3 constituency around 12:30 am, said Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Shibpur Police Station.

In Bogura, Awami League activist Azizul Islam, 30, was killed and five others were injured in a clash between AL and BNP activists at Bagil polling station in Kahalu upazila around 11:3am over occupying polling station, said Paikor Union Parishad Chairman Mitu Chowdhury.

In Brahmanbaria, Israil, 19, son of Sayedul Islam of Rajghar village in Sadar upazila, was shot dead and three others received bullet wound 'in police firing' during a clash between supporters of AL and BNP at Rajghar Government Primary School polling center of Brahmanbaria-3 constituency.

Satyaranjan Roy, presiding officer of the polling station, said that miscreants attacked the vehicle of R.A.M Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, the Grand Alliance candidate of the constituency, when he went to visit the polling station.

Miscreants also snatched away two ballot boxes.

To bring the situation under control, police opened fire which left four people, including Israil, injured with bullet.

Later the injured was taken to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Share if you like