Boy killed in violence over UP election

A 17-year old boy was shot dead and at least fifty others injured during a clash between two factions of Awami League centering the upcoming upazila election on March 6 at Osmaninagar upazila in Sylhet yesterday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Saiful Islam, son of Saraf Uddin in North Kalinagar at Jagannathpur Upazila in Sunamganj.

According to police and witnesses, the incident occurred over the election campaign activities of Awami League's rebel candidate Jaglul Chowdhury,

Sadipur Union former chairman and Awami League leader Kabir Uddin, Arzu Miah and Bahar Miah and their supporters in Banglabazar area under same Upazila on Saturday afternoon.

Abdul Awal Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Osmaninagar Police Station  said six supporters of AL nominated chairmen candidate Ataur Rahman were having tea at a tea stall when Jaglul Chowdhury's supporters approached them. They wanted the boys to support Jaglul instead which the boys refused to do. This confrontation ended in a big argument.

The issue was to be resolved through arbitration yesterday morning but before that Jaglul's supporters including Bahar Miah attacked the boys with firearms and sharp weapons.

The clash that ensued lasted for nearly two hours as more people got involved. At one point Saiful was shot dead on the spot.

The victim's body was sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsy and the injured were admitted in Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and Jaganthpur health complex, the OC said.

Afterwards Ataur's supporters blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet highway for about two hours withdrawing it after the local administration assured them of proper investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile Jaglul Chowdhury refused the allegations against him. He said Ataur Rahman was trying to besmirch his reputation.

 Ataur Rahman claimed that Jaglul had attacked his supporter Saiful Islam out of his animosity towards Ataur.