UP Election: 25 hurt in pre-polls violence
At least 25 people were injured in clashes between supporters of union parishad chairman candidates in Dhaka's Dhamrai and Kushtia's Mirpur in the last two days.
Followers of ruling Awami League nominee and a party "rebel" candidate clashed in Dhamrai, while supporters of AL and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal candidates clashed in Mirpur, reports our Savar and Kushtia correspondents.
Police said a clash broke out between supporters AL chairman candidate Kafil Uddin and party "rebel" candidate Hafizur Rahman Sohrab in Dhamrai's Shuapur Bazar area around 11:45am yesterday.
Kafil's son Abdul Halim was hurt in the incident.
Halim, however, alleged that Sohrab, also the incumbent chairman of Shuapur Union Parishad, and his followers attacked them when they were carrying out an election campaign in Shuapur Bazar.
He claimed at least 15 of his father's supporters were injured in the attack.
Nirmal Kumar Das, officer-in-charge (operation) of Dhamrai Police Station, said police rushed to the spot upon receiving information and brought the situation under control.
He said they would investigate the incident.
Ayesha Akter, election officer of Dhamrai upazila, said she heard about the incident, but was yet to receive any written complaint.
The Daily Star could not reach Sohrab over the phone for comments as he did not receive calls.
In Kushtia's Mirpur, the clash took place in Ektarpur village of Baruipara union around 9:30pm on Friday. The incident left at least 10 people injured.
Mirpur Police Station OC Golam Mostafa said the clash ensued between supporters of JSD chairman candidate Saidur Rahman and AL nominee Shafiqul Islam Montu during electioneering.
He said supporters of both the chairman hopefuls beat their rivals with wooden sticks. Several motorcycles were vandalised during the incident.
A case was filed with the police station accusing over 100 unidentified people over the incident, the OC added.
Saidur is the incumbent chairman of Baruipara Union Parishad.
AL candidate Shafiqul claimed 10 of his followers were injured in the incident.
JSD nominee Saidur alleged that AL men carried out the attack on his supporters and later filed the case.
He said his supporters could not conduct election campaigns after the incident.
The second phase of the UP elections is scheduled to be held in 848 unions on November 11.
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