A former upazila chairman, who sustained injuries during a clash between his supporters and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Satshika in Fakirhat upazila on February 27, died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital on Tuesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Sardar Niamat Hossain, 60, former chairman of Fakirhat Upazila Parishad and son of late Sardar Akkas Ali of Satshika village.Sardar Niamat, who was undergoing treatment at BSMMU Hospital, succumbed to his injuries at 8:30am, said Niamat’s daughter Rumana Aktar Rupa.Police and locals said the clash ensued when Niamat, who was AL-backed chairman candidate in the upazila, had an altercation with an executive magistrate at Satshika Government Primary School polling centre during the second phase upazila election on February 27 over the arrest of his (Niamat’s) two supporters.Later at one stage, Niamat, also an Awami League leader of the upazila, and his supporters had heated talks with the magistrate over the issue.BGB members beat up Niamat and some of his followers that left three people, including him, injured.Following the incident, the local administration declared voting postponed at the centre.Injured Niamat was admitted to Fakirhat Upazila Health Complex.The voting, which was postponed for the clash, was held at the centre on March 10.BNP-backed chairman candidate was unofficially declared winner in the election. Niamat boycotted the March 10 voting from the hospital and later suffered a cardiac arrest on March 12.Afterwards, he was sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital from where he was shifted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital as his condition kept deteriorating.
Fakirhat upazila unit AL president Swapon Kumar alleged that Niamat who was injured in BGB’s beating was further upset for the defeat in the election, which caused his death. -UNB, Bagerhat
