At least three people were killed and several others were injured in polls related violences across Bangladesh on Monday and Sunday night.
United News of Bangladesh from Cox’s Bazar reported that two people were shot dead while at least 31 suffered bullet wounds in election-related gunfights in Cox’s Bazar on Monday morning.
The deceased were identified as Abul Kalam, 40, and Abdul Hakim.
The incident took place at Noapara Madrassah Centre in Qutubjom Union of Maheshkhali Island.
According to witnesses, supporters of Awami League candidate Sheikh Kamal and rebel candidate of the same party Mosharraf Hossain Khokon locked horns as they tried to seize control of the center around 9:00am.
Things turned fatal when what started as a brawl turned into a straight up gunfight between rival goons.
Abul Kalam died and six others were wounded in the clash.
Confirming the matter, Maheshkhali police station officer-in-charge Abdul Hai said, ‘I have received news of one death in the clash between the two sides. The injured have been rushed to hospital.’
The second incident took place at Baragop union of Kutubdia upazila.
Confirming the matter, the officer-in charge of Kutubdia police station Omar Haider said that a man named Abdul Halim was shot dead and as many as 25 were wounded in a clash between supporters of two candidates.
Details on the incident would be informed soon, he said.
UNB Bagerhat correspondent reported that a woman was killed in a clash centering the election to Chandpai Union Parishad in Mongla upazila on Sunday night.
The deceased was identified as Fatema Begum ,70.
Witnesses said that supporters of Chandpai Union Parishad member candidate Matiar Rahman Moral and supporters of rival candidate Shafiqul Islam were locked in a clash over the polls, leaving Fatema dead on the spot and four others injured.
The wounded are Matiar Rahman Moral, Borhan Sheikh, 35, Israfil Sheikh, 28, and Awal Moral, 40.
Police detained two suspects from the spot.
Officer-in-charge of Mongla police station Mohammad Monirul Islam said, ‘The matter is under investigation. How she died would be known after post-mortem examinations. We have detained two for interrogation.’
New Age correspondent in Chattogram reported that at least 12 persons were injured in clashes during union parishad polls in different areas of Sandwip upazila in Chattogram between the followers of chairman candidates and member candidates on Monday.
Of the injured, some were taken to Sandwip upazila health complex, local people said.
The followers of ruling Awami League nominated chairman candidate Faridul Mawla Kishor and revel candidate Moshiur Rahman Belal at Rahamatpur union and Awami League nominated chairman candidate Mohiuddin Jafar and revel candidate Fazlul Karim at Sontoshpur union were engaged in clashes.
The followers of member candidates — Md Akram and Md Tuhin — at the ward no.1 of Musapur union and the followers of member candidates — Md Noab and Shamsul Huda Sanu — at the ward no.2 of Sarikait union engaged in clashes.
Local people told New Age that at least 12 people were injured in the clashes from the morning.
Md Kabir Ahmed, additional superintendent (north) of Chattogram district police, told New Age that followers of some candidates got engaged in clashes at different unions.
However, the police officer could not confirm the injured figure.
In the meantime, a mobile court at Boalkhali municipality election detained a councilor candidate's agent as he was trying to cast vote for others forcibly at West Kadurkhil School and College centre at about 11:30am.
The detainee was identified as Md Jabed. He was the agent of councilor candidate Md Tarikul Islam for the ward no.1.
Executive magistrate Md Omar Faruk told New Age that Jabed was in their custody and he was removed as the agent of the councilor.
No voting was held for the post of mayoral candidate of Boalkhali municipality as the ruling party nominated mayoral candidate Jaharul Islam won the election uncontested.
