Pre-UP poll clashes leave one dead, 42 injured

A Swechchhasebok League leader was killed and 42 others were injured in clashes between the supporters of UP chairman candidates in Baufal and Patuakhail Sadar upazila on Monday night.

The deceased is Ashraf Fakir, 40, president of Swechchhasebok League Adabaria union unit. He was also a cousin of Shamsul Haque Fakir, Awami League nominated chairman candidate in the upcoming election to Adabaria Union Parishad (UP) under Baufal upazila.

Police and locals said Ashraf along with some supporters of Shamsul Haque Fakira went to Jahirul Haque Masjid area for campaigning on behalf of the AL nominated candidate at around 11:00pm.

At one stage, the supporter of rival chairman candidate Jahangir Ullah equipped with sharp weapons swooped on them, leaving Ashraf and 22 others injured.

Locals took critically injured Ashraf to Baufal Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor Md Saiful Islam declared him dead. The rest of the injured were given first aid at the hospital.

Contacted, Jahangir Ullah said his rival chairman candidate Shamsul Haque's men led by Ashraf beat up one of his supporters named Siddik Mollah. Later, locals and relatives of Siddik Mollah attacked Ashraf, he added.

Md Fayez Ahmed, additional superintendent of police, said Ashraf was killed during a clash between the supporters of two chairman candidates.

The supporters of Shamsul Haque blocked Patuakhali-Baufal Road for four hours from 12:00noon yesterday, demanding immediate arrest of the killers.

In Patuakhali Sadar upazila, At least 20 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of AL nominated chairman candidate Delwar Hossain and AL rebel cnadidate A K M Moniruzzaman alias Jakir Hossain in Baroghar area under Marishbunia union at around 7:30pm.

Of the injured, Mozammel Hossain, 45, Amir Hossain, 37, Sanjoy Kumer Das, 35, Abdul Razzak, 45, Khalil Pada, 50 and Kamrul Pada were admitted to Patuakhali General Hospital while the remaining 14 at different clinics in the town.

Local sources said the supporters Moniruzzaman attacked Delwar's men while they were campaigning in Baroghar area. 

Being informed, police rushed to the spot, dispersed the clashing groups and brought the situation under control.