Councillor candidate beaten by 'rival supporters’

A councillor candidate of Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) polls was beaten allegedly by supporters of another aspirant in the city on Thursday night.

Besides, at least nine others were also injured in the incident when they tried to save him.

Md Masud, a candidate for ward 5, is being treated at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

Police arrested seven persons after Masud filed a case with Rangpur Sadar Police Station yesterday, said Babul Mia, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Masud alleged that Mostafizar Rahman, a rival candidate, had been threatening him to withdraw from the race and his supporters were involved in the attack.

He said some 10 people picked him up around 11:00pm from his farm. They took him to Taltola area and beat him. “When others tried to save him, they also came under attack. Finally, locals rescued me.”

 “I have filed seven general diaries with the police station since November 5,” he added.

Contacted, Mostafizar denied his involvement in the incident.

The elections to the Rangpur City Corporation polls will be held on December 21.

Other than seven mayoral candidates, 65 aspirants are vying for 11 reserved female councillor posts while a total of 213 candidates for 33 ward councillor posts.

The last elections were held on December 20, 2012.