65 hurt in post-poll violence in Thakurgaon, Magura

At least 65 people were injured in post-union parishad (UP) polls violence in Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon and Sreepur upazila of Magura yesterday. 

In Thakurgaon, at least 50 people, including several women, were injured in a clash at Shatia village in Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon yesterday afternoon over bringing out of a victory procession, reports our correspondent. 

Several houses of the supporters of both sides were also vandalised during the clash.

 Locals and police said around 300 people led by Siddiqur Rahman, newly elected chariman of Hazipur union (Jatiya Party nominated ), brought out a procession at the village in the afternoon. At one stage, men of defeated Awami League candidate Joynal Abedin attacked the procession, which led to a two-hour long clash between the two rival groups.

Joynal's supporters also confined Siddiqur Rhaman to a house for two hours. 

Of the injured, 27 were admitted to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex and Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. The rest were given first aid at the health complex.

On information, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

AKM Shawkat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Pirganj Police Station, told this correspondent over cellphone that as the newly elected chairman brought out a victory procession without informing the police, they could not take precautionary steps to avert any untoward incident.    

Away in Magura, a clash took place yesterday morning at Kachua village under Sreepur upazila of Magura district between the victorious and the defeated parties in the UP elections held on Saturday, our Jhenidah correspondent reported.

At least 15 people from both sides were injured. The injured were admitted to Magura Sadar hospital while the rest given first aid at Dariapur Health Complex under Sreepur upazila.

Mashiar Rahman, chairman of Sreepur Sadar UP, said Nazir Hossain was elected member of Ward No 9.

Being defeated in the polls, Sumon Hossain and his men attacked the supporters of Nazir Hossain yesterday at around 10:30am, he added.