3 'criminals', 7 accused in Khagrachhari poll race

At least three candidates, who submitted nomination papers in Khagrachhari constituency comprising eight upazilas in the district, are listed criminals while seven of the 17 candidates in the constituency are facing a total of 51 cases.
District BNP Joint Secretary and Khagrachhari Muni-cipality Mayor Mohammad Joynal Abedin, who submitted nomination paper under BNP-led four-party alliance banner, and independent candidates Daudul Islam Bhuiyan and Ujjal Smriti Chakma are in the list of criminals in the district, said police and intelligence agency sources.
Besides, seven of the 17 candidates in the constituency are facing at least 51 cases including criminal cases in lower courts, District and Sessions Judge's Court and High Court.
They submitted nomination papers on Sunday, the last day for its submission.
According to the statements given with nomination papers, district BNP Secretary and former lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan has been facing 20 cases while district Awami League Secretary Mohammad Zahedul Alam is accused in 12 cases.
Wadud's nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan has been facing nine cases, district BNP Joint Secretary and running Khagrachhari Municipality Mayor Mohammad Joynal Abedin four cases, district Awami League Advisor AKM Alim Ullah and UPDF leader Ujjal Smriti Chakma three cases each for their alleged involvement with toll collection, ransom collection, threatening, beating, killing, land grabbing and amassing illegal wealth, says the contestants' declaration.
Earlier Awami League leader Mohammad Zahedul Alam was acquitted in 28 other cases while Wadud's Nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan got acquitted in six cases and AKM Alim Ullah in one case, go the statements given with submitted nomination papers.