Pre-polls violence: 2 dead, 25 hurt in Meherpur, Pabna

Representational picture. Election violence in Bandarban - UNB

Meherpur, Nov 8 -- Two brothers were hacked to death and 10 people injured in a clash centering the upcoming union parishad elections in Gangni upazila of  Meherpur district on Monday morning.

The deceased were identified as Jaharul Islam, 55, and his brother Sahadul Islam, 50, sons of Sultan Miah of Laxminarayanpur Dhalagram village.

UP member Azmain Hossain Tutul, also a candidate, said when he went to seek votes in the village some supporters of rival UP member candidate Atiar Rahman attacked them with sharp weapons, leaving the two brothers dead on spot and several others seriously injured.

Tutul took shelter in a nearby house. Police later rescued him and admitted him to Gangni Hospital.

Besides, six other injured people were sent to Kushtia Medical College and Hospital in critical condition.

Tutul also said that his younger brother Enamul Hossain Nailu was hacked to death by Atiar Rahman’s people a few years ago and a case is still pending in the court.

However, Atiar Rahman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Md Bazlur Rahman, Officer-in-charge of Gangni Police Station, said additional police have been deployed at the spot after recovering the bodies of the two brothers and the situation is now under control.

However, no case has been filed yet in this regard, the OC added.

In Pabna at least 15 people were injured, including three with bullet, in separate clashes Manikhat and Hatkhali unions in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district  on Sunday night ahead of the union parishad elections.

Those who sustained bullet injuries were identified as Motaleb, 37, son of Milon Khan, Sagar, 35, son of Abdul Majid and Fazlu, 55, son of late Abdur Rahman Khan of Bonkola village.

A clash broke out between the supporters of Awami League-backed and independent candidates in Manikhat union around 8:30 pm.

Another clash broke out around 11:30 pm at Swagata Bazar in Hatkhali Union.

Awami League-backed candidate for the post of chairman of Manikhat UP Shafiul Islam said supporters of independent candidate Abbas Ali Mallik vandalized one of our election offices and set it on fire.

“When the news spread, the supporters of the AL brought out a procession towards the Bonkola bazar when the people of a rival candidate opened fire at us, leaving 10 of our activists injured,” he alleged.

The injured were sent to Pabna General Hospital. However, critically injured Motaleb was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.

On the other hand, Abbas Ali Mallik, Union Awami League president and independent candidate, said, “Supporters of Shafiul Islam came to Bonkola bazar and opened fire at my supporters and vandalized our election campaign office. Moreover, they also hacked some of my people.”

Abbas Ali Mallik also said he would file a complaint at the Election Commission and the police station.

Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-charge of Sujanagar Police Station, said police brought the situation under control upon receiving the information of violence.

Meanwhile, following vandalism of AL office and explosion of cocktails in Hatkhali union of Sujanagar upazila allegedly by the supporters of independent candidate Azhar Ali Sheikh, another clash broke out at Swagata Bazar of the union around 11:30 pm, alleged Awami League-backed candidate Abdur Rouf.

However, Azhar Ali denied the allegation and blamed the AL men for violence.

OC Mizanur Rahman said necessary steps will be taken in this regard after an investigation.

Additional Superintendent of Police Masud Alam (Crime) said additional police have been deployed in various places including these two unions to prevent further violence. - UNB