35 injured in pre-election clashes in 2 districts
At least 35 people were injured in clashes between the supporters of rival candidates in the upcoming elections to union parishad in Patuakhali and Barguna districts on Friday.
In Patuakhali, the supporters of two member candidates for Kalishury Union Parishad under Baufal upazila clashed at Hizbillah Bazar at around 6:00pm, leaving at least 10 people from both sides injured.
Locals said Hiron Mridha's men swooped on his rival candidate Kazi Shawkat while he was addressing a rally at the bazar. His supporters made a counter attack, leading to a clash between the two sides.
Eight of the injured, including Kazi Shawkat, were admitted to Baufal Upazila Health Complex while the rest given first aid. Kazi Shawkat was later shifted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital as his condition deteriorated.
In Barguna, the supporters of two chairman candidates in the election to Charduani Union Parishad under Patharghata upazila locked in a clash during campaign at South Charduani village at around 8:00pm.
Police and locals sources said when the ruling party backed candidate Firoz Alam along with his supporters were seeking votes at south Charduani village, his rival BNP backed candidate Kamrul Islam accompanied by his supporters went to the same area to woo votes.
Locals said the supporters of the two chairman aspirants chanted slogans and counter slogans during the campaign and at one stage they attacked each other, leaving at least 20 people from both sides injured.
Of the injured, Kalam Mridha, 45, Shahjahan, 35, Amir Ali, 40, Kanchan Ali, 38, Rafiqul Islam, 32, Mujibur 22, Malek, 29, Salam, 25, Zakir, 33 and Hanif, 30 are undergoing treatment at local hospitals while the rest took first aid.
In Kathaltali Union under the same upazila, at least five people were injured as the supporters of chairman candidate Habibur Rahman attacked his rival candidate Shahidul Islam's men at 6:00pm. Two of the injured--Badsha, 35, and Khaleq Khalifa, 36, admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital while the remaining two given first aid at a local clinic.
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