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10:56 AM, December 30, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 07:32 PM, May 03, 2020

17 killed in polls violence

Family member of Kina Mohammad who died during a chase and counter chase at Biral upazila of Dinajpur on Sunday, December 30, 2018 break down in tears. Photo: Kongkon Karmakar

Opposition and ruling party activists are being killed in election violence across Bangladesh, and until last reported, 17 persons were killed across the country so far.

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CUMILLA

One Oikyafront supporter Mujib, 35, has been killed in Chandina in police firing during what law enforcers say snatching ballots from voting centres.

The incident took place at Pashchim Belashwar voting centre, under Cumilla-7 constituency. Local LDP candidate has stated him as a supporter of Oikyafront.

Chandina Police Staion Officer-in-Charge Abu Foysol Mia has confirmed the casualty.

Another BNP supporter Bachchu Mia, 45, was killed in Awami League attack at Murgaon voting centre, under Cumilla-10, our local correspondent reports.

Voters seen in a queue outside Avoy Binodini High School on the 11th general election day on Sunday, December 30, 2018. Photo: Star/SK Enamul Haq

Nangolcoat Police Station Sub-Inspector Aminul Islam has confirmed of the clash. But, an official confirmation into the casualty is still awaiting.

CHATTOGRAM

A tripartite clash between Awami League, BNP and supporters of 'candle' symbol locked in clashes in Patiya, leaving 18-year-old Abu Sadek dead.

Our local staff correspondent quotes Additional Superintendent of Police Afruzul Haque Tutu to confirm the casualty. "He fell in the middle of the clash and died."

The incident took place around 10:00am at Pashchim Maliapara, under Chattogram-12. Any political affiliation of the deceased could not be ascertained.

Another Jatiya Party activist Ahmed Kabir, 55, was killed after being attacked in Bashkhali, around 3:00am, in Chattogram-16.

Jatiya Party sources claim, police attacked some presiding officers in Banskhali and killed their party men at 3:00am at Boroitola Area of Banskhali.

However, officer in-charge of Banskhali Police Station Kamal Hossain said, Ahmed Kabir died in a clash, in which four policemen got injured as well.

RAJSHAHI

BNP men said to have attacked and killed an Awami League supporter, Merajuddin, 22, in Pakuria High School in Mohonpur, Rajshahi-3 around 10:30am.

Our local staff correspondent quotes Rajshahi Additional SP Abdur Razzaque Khan to confirm the casualty and the attack on him.

In Rajshahi-1, Awami League activist Md Modasser, 45, was killed after a clash ensued between Awami League and BNP supporters near Mohammadpur High School around 12noon.

Additional Superintendent of Rajshahi Police Abdur Razzak Khan has confirmed the casualty.

DINAJPUR

A general voter died during tension between supporters of Awami League and BNP in Sohogram Government Primary School, under Dinajpur-2 around 12noon.

The victim was an elderly Kina Mohammad, 65.

Our local correspondent quotes Birolpur Police Station OC Golam Rosul to confirm the casualty. "He fell between a chase and counter-chase and died in heart attack"

RANGAMATI

A local leader of Jubo League, the youth front of Awami League, was killed in a clash with BNP activists at a polling centrein Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati this morning.

Deceased Md Basir Uddin, 32, was Jubo League general secretary of Gagra union unit, Manjurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kaukhali Police Station, told our local correspondent.

As a sequel to the altercation, BNP men attacked Bashir and one of his followers leaving them critically injured. He died on the way to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

COX'S BAZAR

An activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, Md Abdullah, 23, was killed in clashes with BNP activists in Pekua upazila's Rajakhali Matobbar Para centre, under Cox's Bazar-1, around 12noon.

Our local correspondent quotes Pekua Police Station Inspector Md Mizanur Rahman to confirm the casualty and upazila's Awami League General Secretary Abul Kashem to confirm his party affiliation.

Pekua Upazila Health Complex Doctor Mujibur Rahman said Abdullah bled to death after being hacked indiscriminately. Three others were critically injured and sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. 

BOGURA

One Awami League supporter Azizul Haque, 28, was killed during a clash with BNP at Baghail Government Primary School, under Bogura-4.

Our correspondent quotes Kahalu Police Station OC Showkot Kabir to confirm the casualty.

NOAKHALI

A member of law enforcement agency was killed by activists of Jamaat and Shibir in Tulatuli Government Primary School, under Noakhali-3 constituency.

The deceased was identified as Nurunnabi, a member of Ansar force. He was killed in clashes that took place around 12:50pm.

Our local correspondent quotes district police SP Ilias Sharif to confirm the casualty from Begumganj upazila.

NARSINGDI

An Awami League polling agent Md Milon was found dead after a clash between Awami League and supporters of independent candidate in Kunderpara Government Primary School, under Narsingdi-3, around 12:30pm.

The centre's Presiding Officer Mahbub Mridha has confirmed The Daily Star of the casualty.

GAZIPUR

An Awami League activist Liakat Ali, 44, was killed in clashes with BNP in Harinal High School voting centre, under Gazipur-2 in Sadar upazila.

Soumir Sutradhar, OC of Gazipur Sadar Police Station, told our local correspondent that BNP activists hacked him to death during clashes outside the centre.

SYLHET

Balaganj upazila Chhatra Dal General Secretary Saim Ahmed Sohel, 24, was killed in clashes around 3:45pm at Azizpur Government Primary College, under Sylhet-3.

Upazila BNP General Secretary Mujibur Rahman claimed it was police who fired on BNP activists, our local correspondent reports.

However, Sylhet Additional SP Shamsul Islam Sarker said Sohel died in a clash. "A group of BNP men came in to try and snatch ballots. They were barred by another group and a clash took place."

TANGAIL

A ward level leader of BNP, Hazi Abdul Aziz, 65, was found dead this morning beside a field around 9:00am after being informed by locals, our correspondent reports.

Gopalpur Police Station (Tangail-2) OC Al Mamun said he was missing since yesterday evening. "Police recovered his body. No injury marks were seen on the body."

NATORE

Awami League supporter Hussain Ali, 48, was stabbed by his own nephew Ratan Fakir over voting altercation at Horidakhulsi village, Noldanga upazila, Natore-2.

Hussain Ali said to have slapped his nephew for voting sheaf of paddy, our local correspondent reports. Enraged, the nephew burst back, stabbing him with a knife.

BRAHMANBARIA

One Israil, 20, was shot dead and three others injured in "police firing" at Rajghar Government Primary School, under Brahmanbaria-3 around 11:00am.

Our local correspondent quotes Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station OC Md Selim Uddin to confirm his death, but could not ascertain any political affiliation.

"Some miscreants attacked the polling centre with arms. To maintain law and order police first charged batons and later fired in the presence of acting magistrate," OC said.

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Body: 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said this election has become a mockery.

The BNP leader made the comments to The Daily Star at the Syedpur Airport in Nilphamari when he was returning to Dhaka from Thakurgaon after voting ended today at 4:00pm.

Ruling party men and police worked hand in hand during this election, Fakhrul said.

“This is the death of democracy,” he further added.

Body: 

Two Gonoforum lawmakers-elect yesterday wrote to the Speaker expressing their willingness to take oath on March 7.

Sultan Mohammad Monsur and Mokabbir Khan, presidium members of Gonoforum, took part in the December 30 national election as Gonoforum candidates, with the BNP's electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy”.

Asked about the matter, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told The Daily Star that he did not know anything about the letter.

Senior Gonoforum leaders said they would take all kinds of actions against the two leaders if they took oath disobeying the party's decision.

Just around a month before the national election, the BNP, the Gonoforum and some other political parties had formed Jatiya Oikyafront.

Oikyafront leaders, including Dr Kamal Hossain, boycotted the polls results and called for a new election.

The BNP won only six seats against 289 by the ruling Awami League-led Grand Alliance.

All the six MPs-elect of BNP decided not to join the Jatiya Sangsad.

Talking to this newspaper, Sultan Monsur yesterday said Dr Kamal knew about their oath.

Mostafa Mohsin Montu, general secretary of Gonoforum, said the two leaders would violate the party's decision if they took oath.

“Our party has decided not to send the two MPs to parliament. We will take all necessary actions if they take oath.”

Montu also said the duo was misleading people by giving false statements.

If they took oath violating the party's decision, the Gonoforum would write to the Speaker to cancel their memberships for floor-crossing, he said.

Former Awami League leader Sultan Mansur, also an ex vice-president of Ducsu, was elected MP from Moulvibazar-2 and Mokabbir from Sylhet-2.

Soon after the December 30 election, the duo said Kamal was positive about their joining parliament.

On January 31, Kamal told journalists that the Gonoforum has informed the two about its decision that they should not take oath. 

Body: 

The national election of December 30 has turned the life of Mofiz Uddin upside down -- and all for supporting BNP.

From a decent tea-shop vendor at Rabeya market of Bonkishore village in Rajshahi's Tanore upazila, the 48-year old man now works on a potato field.

“I have been a dedicated BNP worker since the 90s,” Mofiz said. “If I have committed a crime, it would be my engagement with BNP.”

In a tin-roofed earthen room under a Koroi tree at the market, Mofiz started the shop and ran it for over the last 20 years.

Furnished with a television, eight chairs, five tables, four benches and a few racks of bakery items, sweets and groceries, his tea-shop fetched him around Tk 3,000 a day to support his family of seven.

On December 21, Mofiz joined the election campaign for BNP candidate Aminul Haq when the latter went to Pachondor union.

Later that evening, a group of stick wielding men went to the market and ransacked the outside of his tea-shop, according to eye-witnesses.

“The attackers were outsiders, not known to me,” said a local businessman.

“I heard about the attack on my shop when I reached home, after campaigning that day,” said Mofiz. A friend of his called him from the market and told him to hide as the attackers were looking for him.

Until polls day, local AL men used the tea-shop as the election office of Awami League candidate Omor Faruk Chowdhury.

“Two days after the election ended, some local AL workers damaged what was left of the shop, including the earthen room, tin-roof, furniture, television, and everything else inside.”

Locals told this correspondent that they heard the AL men would build a party office in that place.

When contacted, Reaz Uddin, president of AL unit at Pachondor ward-2, said, “We are yet to decide on building our office there. If not an office, we may construct a passengers' shed that will come to the use of many.”

He said the land was 'khas' and Mofiz had been illegally occupying it.

On the identity of the attackers, he said, “Nobody knows them. They were wearing helmets and came to the village on motorcycles.”

He denied that it was local AL men who had damaged the shop after the election.

“It was Mofiz's brother, nephew and son who damaged the shop,” he said. On why Mofiz's own relatives would damage the shop, Reaz did not have an explanation.

When contacted, Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Md Shahidullah said they had not heard about the incident.

“We will investigate all allegations of post-election violence,” said the SP, adding that police circulated a message in the district so that no one would spread fear among others over feuds during the election.

Upon losing his source of income, Mofiz began work as day labourer on the potato fields to make ends meet, earning a mere Tk 300 a day.

“I am living in fear. I could not even go see the condition of my shop, the one I so dearly built from scratch,” he said. 

Body: 

The BNP has claimed that its allegation of “vote robbery” in the December 30 national election has now been proved to be true with the CEC's comment that the use of EVMs can prevent stuffing of ballot boxes the night before an election.

“The chief election commissioner has said the risk of stuffing ballot boxes the night before the voting will be reduced if EVMs are introduced. The truth about the election has started to emerge,” BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he said Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda could not hide the truth for long. “The CEC's slip of tongue has revealed the truth regarding the midnight election. His remark has demonstrated that the election was held at midnight as EVMs were not used.”

Addressing a training workshop of election officials at the city's Nirbachan Bhaban on Friday, the CEC had said the Election Commission was planning to use electronic voting machines to make sure that ballot boxes could not be stuffed on the night before an election.

Since the national election, the BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront have been accusing the Awami League of carrying out “vote robbery” by stuffing ballot boxes on December 29 midnight.

Stating that snatching people's voting rights was tantamount to robbery, Rizvi said the CEC “committed a serious offence by holding a midnight election only to keep the current government in power illegally”.

“Your [CEC] remarks will remain as an important document to people about how a chief election commissioner allowed stuffing ballot boxes at midnight in a national election, depriving people of their voting rights.”

The BNP leader questioned whether the CEC allowed the ruling party to stuff ballot boxes on the night of December 29 to justify the use of EVMs that were procured by spending crores of public money.

Rizvi warned the CEC that he would have to be accountable to people some day for the midnight voting.

He said the CEC was trying to use EVMs in the election as spending crores of taka was involved in it. “No machine is required for ensuring a fair election, as only sincerity and commitment to democracy is enough for it.”

Not only the CEC, but also an election commissioner carelessly talked about the midnight voting as the truth cannot be hidden, the BNP leader added.

Rizvi voiced deep concern as ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was yet to be taken to hospital for treatment.

He demanded the government shift her to United Hospital for ensuring her proper treatment.

Body: 

Previous parliamentary opposition Jatiya Party (JP) today expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the 11th parliamentary election held Sunday.

Reflecting on it today, the party's Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga said: “The party expected to win more than 22 seats in the election”.

However, he said, “Our party is now stronger than before”.

“We will decide tomorrow whether we will remain as an opposition in the parliament,” he said; adding “the joint meeting will be held with the newly elected lawmakers and standing committee members at 11:00am tomorrow”.

HOW WAS THE ELECTION?

Voting for the 11th parliamentary election ended peacefully in Dhaka; but was tainted with violence elsewhere across the country and cost the lives of at least 19 people.

Reports of casualties came in from Cumilla, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Noakhali, Narsingdi and Gazipur.

Allegations of vote rigging, election clashes, intimidation and irregularities came in from several other constituencies and capital Dhaka city.

Also, the election saw opposition candidates boycotting elections in at least 43 constituencies; 42 of who were Jatiya Oikyafront runners.

 

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