Post-polls violence leaves 100 injured in Patuakhali

Over 100 people were injured in post-polls violence in different unions under four upazilas of the district yesterday and on Tuesday night.

At least eight shops were also torched during the violence, said police and local sources.

In Kalapara upazila, at least 60 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of a member-elect and a defeated candidate in Chakamoiya union yesterday.

Of them, 12 were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital with serious injuries.

The injured include Qader Hawlader, 40, Babul Gazi, 35, Musa Mir, 32, Helal Gazi, 30, Rezaul, 25, Shafiqul Islam, 30, Jakir Negaban, 32, Dulal Farazee, 35, Jalal Sikder, 40, Russel, 25, and Shahidul Islam, 20, of Anipara village in the union.

Locals said one Rafiqul Islam was elected member of ward No-3 in the union on Tuesday. When he along with his supporters came to the village around 11:00am to meet the villagers, a gang allegedly led by defeated member candidate Rakibul attacked them with sharp weapons, triggering a clash between the two sides.

More than 60 people from both sides were injured during the clash that continued for an hour, locals said.

At Kumirmara village in Nilganj union of the same upazila, at least 23 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of two defeated member candidates -- Mohibbullah and Kabir Gazi—the same night.

Police arrested six people from adjacent Anipara village for their alleged involvement in the clash, said GM Shahnewaz, officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station.

Additional police have been deployed in the two areas to avert further trouble, the OC added.

In Galachipa upazila, criminals set eight shops on fire at Itbaria Bazar in Galachipa union under the upazila around 11:00pm on Tuesday.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of a chairman-elect and the defeated chairman candidate at Adabaria village in Baufal upazila yesterday.

Of the injured, Dinobandhu Hawlader, 35, was admitted to Patuakhali General Hospital while the rest took treatment at local clinics. 

In Dashmina upazila, supporters of Awami League rebel candidate Iqbal Mahmud Liton attacked AL candidate Goutam Roy's house at Lakxipur village in the upazila on Tuesday night.

Over 100 Liton's men swooped on the house of Goutam at around 8:00pm and vandalised three motorbikes there. The attackers also beat up the family members, alleged locals.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said OC Md Monirul Islam of Dashmina Police Station.

Election results of the union were not announced on Tuesday because of postponment of voting in three centres.