Post-poll violence leaves 50 hurt in Habiganj

At least 50 people were injured in post-UP poll violence at Kanaipur village in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj district on Wednesday night.

Locals said the incident took place when the supporters of two defeated member candidates --Faraj Ali and Billal Mia--locked in an altercation over the defeat of their candidates in the election held on May 28.

Of the injured, 15 were admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital, 21 to Nabiganj Health Complex and five to different private hospitals.

Officer-in-Charge Abdul Baten of Nabiganj Police Station quoted locals as saying that the two groups swooped on each other with sharp weapons and bamboo sticks, leaving at least 50 people from both sides injured.

On information, police went to the spot, fired several rubber bullets and teargas-shells to disperse the feuding groups, the OC said, adding that additional police have been deployed in the area to avert further incident.

Away in Mymensingh, three people, including a local Awami League leader, were beaten up allegedly by their party rivals in Muktagachha upazila the same night.

The victim, Ali Emdad, 55, president of Banshati union unit of AL, his nephew Rubel Hossain, 34, and Borhan Uddin, 35, were admitted to Muktagachha Upazila Health Complex.

Emdad and Rubel were later shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.

Quoting locals, police said a group allegedly loyal to defeated AL nominated chairman candidate Ujjal Chandra swooped on Emdad with bamboo and wooden sticks and beat him up while he was taking tea at a stall around 10:30pm, leaving him injured.

Rubel and Borhan received injuries when they tried to save Emdad from the attackers, Officer-in-Charge Abu Mohammad Fazlul Karim of Muktagachha Police Station said.