Clashes centring municipality polls: 2 cases filed, 8 arrested in Tangail’s Gopalpur

Two cases have been filed over yesterday's clashes between supporters of two mayoral candidates of Tangail's Gopalpur municipality elections that left one person dead and several others injured. 

Deceased Mohammad Khalil's father Nasimuddin filed a murder case with Gopalpur Police Station against at least 20 unidentified persons.

At least 15 unidentified people were also sued in another case filed with the same police station by one Mohammad Hira over vandalising the office of Awami League-nominated mayoral candidate and Gopalpur municipality Mayor Rakibul Haque.

Eight people were shown arrested in the case, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Gopalpur Circle) Amir Khasru confirmed to The Daily Star.

Khalil, a rickshaw-van puller from Dubail Atpara village, was killed when supporters of Rakibul clashed with followers of AL rebel candidate Gias Uddin in Gopalpur Bazar and Someshpur areas last evening.

Besides, Rakibul's election office in Gopalpur Bazar area came under attack. A vehicle was also set on fire, according to police and witnesses.

There has been tension in the municipality after local AL leader Gias Uddin announced that he would run against AL-nominated candidate Rakibul in the municipality polls slated for February 14.