Ansar member shot dead in Noakhali
Dhaka, Dec 30 – Twentyone people, including an Ansar member, were killed in election-related violence in Noakhali, Rangamati, Chattogram, Comilla Rajshahi, Natore, Tangail, Narsingdi, Bogura, Brahmanbaria and Cox’s Bazar districts on Sunday. Among the victims, eleven were said the leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League, five of the opposition BNP and one of Jatiya Party.
In Noakhali, Nurunnabi, an Ansar member, was shot dead by some miscreants at Tulachara Primary School Polling station of Noakhali-3 constituency, said presiding officer Prof 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 in the morning.
The deceased was identified as Bashir Uddin, general secretary of Kashkhali union Jubo League unit.
An altercation took place between some supporters of BNP and Awami League on Saturday night, Smrity Bikash Tripura, Rangamati Zila Parishad member.
As a sequel to the altercation, BNP men attacked Bashir and one of his followers while they were going to a 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 was killed in a clash with Awami League men at Katharia in Banshkhali upazila on Sunday morning.
The deceased was identified as Kabir Ahmed, 45,
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, he claimed.
On information, police rushed in, 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, said district police special branch sub inspector Mahbub Morshed.
Besides, a rickshaw-puller, Muzibur Rahman, 35, son of Sujat Ali of Muradnagar village of the upazila, was killed in a clash between the activists of ruling Awami League and BNP men at Pachhim Belashwar village in Chandina 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 11am over occupying a polling centre of Rajshahi-3 constituency, said Rajshahi district police superintendent Shahidullah.
Besides, Modasser Ali, 40, organizing secretary of Awami League 8 No ward in Panchandar union of Tanore, upazila was killed in a clash between BNP and Awami League men over occupying Mohammadpur High School Polling Station of Rajshahi-1 constituency, said officer-in-charge Rezaul Islam of Tanore Police Station.
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 Hussain Ali and his nephew Ratanwere 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 died.
In Narsingdi, Milon Miah, 35, an Awami League 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 AbulKalam 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 capturing 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 wounds ‘in police firing’ during a clash between supporters of AL and BNP at Rajghar Government Primary School polling centre of Brahmanbaria-3 constituency.
Satyaranjan Roy, the presiding officer of the polling station, said miscreants attacked the vehicle of RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, the Grand Alliance candidate of the constituency, when he went to visit the polling station.
Miscreants also snatched two ballot boxes.
To bring the situation under control, police opened fire which left four people, including Israil, injured with bullets.
The injured was taken to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.
In Cox’s Bazar, Abdullah AL Faruque, 25, son of Abul Kalam of Rajakhali union of Pekua upazila, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men in Rajakhali Government Primary School Police centre of Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency around 10am, said Tanzir Hossain, officer-in-charge Pekua Police Station. – UNB
