POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Jan 30, 2022 : Violence continues over Union Parishad (UP) elections. One person was killed in a clash between supporters of two candidates in Pingna Union of Sarishabari in Jamalpur on Saturday morning. In the last 5 months, 95 people have been killed in election clashes and violence across the country.
The highest number of deaths occurred in the second and third round of elections. In these two stages, 30 and 26 people were killed respectively. The first stage has been selected in two parts. The second round of elections was held last September. Ever since then, there have been conflicting situations surrounding elections across the country. Five people have been killed so far in the first phase, 10 in the fourth phase, 23 in the fifth phase and one in the sixth phase of UP elections.
Four journalists were injured in an attack by supporters of a candidate in Thakurgaon yesterday. In Chuadanga and Satkania in Chittagong, 24 people were injured in clashes between activists and supporters of Awami League and ‘rebel’ candidates.
The deceased has been identified as Bhola Sheikh, 58, of Sarishabari. Eight people were injured in yesterday’s clash. Police have arrested 10 people. The deceased was identified as Bhola Sheikh of Kajalgaon in Kazipur upazila.
Talking to the police, the family of the deceased and two member candidates, it is learned that the sixth phase of Pingna UP election will be held on January 31. Sujat Ali and Nurul Islam are contesting for the post of general member in ward no. 3 of Pingna UP election.
Rubel Mia, a supporter of Nurul Islam, was campaigning in Nalsandhya village around 10:30 am yesterday. At that time, the supporters of Sujat Ali detained Rubel Mia (26). Upon receiving the news, Bhola Sheikh (58), elder brother of member candidate Nurul Islam and his men came to rescue Rubel around 12 noon. Supporters of the two member candidates chased each other near the house of Fazal Member of the village. At that time Bhola Sheikh was stabbed with a sharp weapon and seriously injured. Seriously injured Bhola Sheikh died on the way to the Upazila Health Complex. Police have arrested 10 people from Nalsandhya village till yesterday afternoon. Jamalpur Superintendent of Police Nasir Uddin Ahmed visited the spot in the afternoon.
Four journalists have been injured in an attack by activists and supporters of Awami League chairman candidate in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila’s newly formed Senua UP election. They have been admitted to Thakurgaon Modern Sadar Hospital. The attack took place in Mandalpara area of the union around 3pm yesterday.
The four injured journalists are Thakurgaon correspondent of private television channel Independent Tanvir Hasan, district correspondent of News Bangla Sohail Rana, district correspondent of online news portal Rising BD Mainuddin Talukder and district correspondent of Dhaka Mail Zahid Hasan.
According to eyewitness sources, polling is going to be held on February 8 in Senua UP. Awami League nominee Nobel Kumar Singh, rebel Ashraful Islam, BNP independent candidate Matiur Rahman and another independent candidate Matiur Rahman are contesting for the post of chairman.
Tensions have been running high between the Awami League and independent candidates over the election campaign for several days. Independent BNP candidate Matiur Rahman alleged that he was holding a backyard meeting with activists and supporters at Mandalpara in Ward No. 1 of the union yesterday afternoon. At that time, the supporters of the boat started chanting provocative slogans on 10-15 motorcycles. He (Matiur Rahman) went to Awami League supporter Hamidur Rahman to protest the incident. At one point, the boat’s supporters chased him. When they went to take that picture, they attacked the journalists.
Regarding the allegations of assault, Nobel Kumar Singh said he had heard of the incident. He claimed that his supporters were not involved in this. He said that maybe someone else was using the names of the supporters of the boat to carry out the attack.
Nine people were injured in a retaliatory attack by activists and supporters of Awami League and ‘rebel’ candidates in Titudaha union of Chuadanga Sadar upazila on Friday night. The clashes resulted in vandalism and arson of motorcycles, microbuses and election camps.
Awami League chairman candidate Shukur Ali and rebel chairman candidate Mizanur Rahman have blamed each other for the clashes. Shukur Ali is the president of Titudaha Union Awami League and Mizanur Rahman is the joint general secretary of Sadar Upazila Awami League. UP elections will be held in the seventh phase on February 8.
Clashes also broke out between Awami League candidates and activists of rebel candidates in the Amilaish UP election in Chittagong’s Satkania upazila. 15 people from both sides were injured. The incident took place in Charpara area of East Amilaish last Friday evening.
Former UP chairman and Satkania Upazila Awami League Education and Human Resources Secretary Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury is choosing the boat symbol in Amilaish UP. Incumbent UP chairman and expelled Satkania Upazila Awami League member HM Hanif is contesting as a rebel candidate. Voting will take place on February 8 in 17 UPs of Satkania. Earlier on Thursday, clashes and shootings took place between the two sides in Khagaria UP of the same upazila.
Satkania Police OC Abdul Jalil said, “Police were sent to the spot and surrounding areas after receiving information about the clash between the two sides. I have heard that some people from both sides were injured in the incident. If a written complaint is found in this incident, legal action will be taken.
