UP polls
Law Minister attributes violence during UP elections to personal conflicts
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Saturday said the violence during the ongoing Union Parishad (UP) elections happened largely because of personal and factional conflicts, and land-related disputes.Anisul, also in-charge of the parliamentary affairs of the Election Commission, said this in response to a tabled question from Jatiya Party's MP Liakot Hossain Khoka elected from Narayanganj-3.He said several print and electronic media ran reports on election-related violence after the first and second rounds of UP elections across the country.
Also read: 2nd phase of UP polls marred by violence; 6 dead
“These are the main reasons -- personal and group conflicts, land disputes -- why violence happened during elections. Various opportunists or groups are trying to resort to violence against minority groups, women and children,” he said.The minister said the Election Commission is alert and vigilant about the election-related violence.
“Strict instructions have been given to law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order. The Election Commission has written a letter to the government department concerned requesting it to take necessary steps to remain vigilant about the violence,” said the law minister.
Also read: UP polls creating panic instead of festivity: GM Quader
He said necessary instructions have also been given to election officials in this regard.Besides, Anisul Huq said, a letter has been sent to the Home Ministry to inform the commission about the steps taken by the police so far.
5th phase polls to 707 UPs on January 5
The fifth phase elections to 707 Union Parishads (UPs) in different districts will be held on January 5 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission announced the election schedule for 707 UPs in 47 districts of the country, said Director (Public Relations) at the EC Secretariat SM Asaduzzaman on Saturday.
According to the polls schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is December 07, while the date for scrutinizing the nomination papers is December 09 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 15.
Also read: Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
In the 5th phase election, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in 37 UPs and the traditional ballot papers in the remaining UPs.
The 707 UPs include 8 in Panchagarh district, 19 in Dinajpur, 11 in Nilphamari, 7 in Lalmonirhat, 7 in Kurigram, 16 in Gaibandha, 5 in Joypurhat, 22 in Bogura, 14 in Chapainawabganj, 23 in Naogaon, 19 in Rajshahi, 11 in Natore, 16 in Sirajganj, 15 in Pabna, 11 in Kushtia, 20 in Jhenaidah, 23 in Jashore, 16 in Satkhira, 12 in Bhola, 5 in Pirojpur, 11 in Jamalpur, 8 in Sherpur, 26 in Mymensigh, 21 in Netrakona, 13 in Tangail, 15 in Kishoreganj, 21 in Manikganj, 7 in Munshiganj, 11 in Dhaka, 8 in Gazipur, 15 in Narsingdi, 10 in Rajbari, 15 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, 2 in Madaripur, 17 in Shariatpur, 17 in Sunamganj, 18 in Sylhet, 18 in Moulvibazar, 21 in Habiganj, 19 in Brahmanbaria, 25 in Cumilla, 27 in Chandpur, 12 in Feni, 20 in Noakhali, 25 in Chattogram, 5 in Khagrachhari and 3 in Bandarban.
Also read: 2nd phase of UP polls marred by violence; 6 dead
Jashore pre-polls violence: Injured man dies at DMCH
A man, who was hacked during pre-election violence in Jashore’s Sharsha upazila on Tuesday, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Mostafizur Rahman Dhabak, 42, son of Khatib Dhabak of Bagachara union of the upazila and a supporter of rebel chairman candidate AH Khaleq.
AH Khaleq Dhabak alleged that on that night, supporters of chairman candidate Ilias Kabir Bakul (boat symbol) hacked Mostafizur Rahman with sharp weapons and he was admitted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital(DMCH) with serious injuries.
According to locals, supporters of candidate Ilias Kabir Bakul attacked rebel candidate AH Khaleq Dhabak’s procession when it reached near Baitul Mamun Jame Mosque in the area, leaving Mostafizur and two injured .
Later they were admitted to DMCH for advanced treatment.
Also read: Post poll violence: Injured van puller dies in Barishal hospital
As the death news spread, supporters of rebel chairman candidate AH Khaleq gathered at Bagachara Bazar on Saturday morning and burned tires, halting traffic movement.
The rebel candidate’s supporters also vandalized the election office AL candidate.
Later police brought the situation under control.
Also read: UP polls violence: Injured Madaripur man dies in Dhaka
Officer-in-Charge of Sharsha Police Station Badrul Alam said a tense situation has been prevailing at Bagachra following Mustafizur’s death and additional police have been deployed to avoid trouble.
Post poll violence: Injured van puller dies in Barishal hospital
A 65-year-old rickshaw van puller died at a hospital in Barishal on Monday three days after he suffered injuries during clashes between rival groups after UP polls at Agoiljhara upazila.
The deceased Mokles Mia was injured in the violence on Saturday, local police said quoting his family.
Read:UP polls violence: Injured Madaripur man dies in Dhaka
The post-polls clashes occurred between the supporters of Shamim Mia alias Likchan, who was elected as a member, and and Yunus Mia who lost the contest at Baghda Union Parishad, according to Officer-in-Charge of Agoiljhara Police Station Golam Sarwar.
The newly-elected member went to visit the Khajuria area by a van after the election on November 13.
At one stage about 30 stick-wielding supporters of defeated candidate Yunus swooped on their rivals, leaving seven people including the van puller.
Read: UP poll violence: 8 looted EVMs looted in Patuakhali recovered
The injured were taken to upazila health complex where Mokles died around 5:20 am on Monday.
A case was filed against 10/15 unidentified people in this connection.
UP polls violence: Injured Madaripur man dies in Dhaka
A 60-year-old man, who was injured in a bomb attack during a clash between two rivals groups ahead of Sidikhan union Parishad election on Wednesday, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Alamgir Pada, a supporter of Milon Mia, an independent candidate for chairman post.
Ishtiak Ashfaq Russel, officer-in-charge of Kalkini Police Station, said the clash broke out between the supporters of Milon Mia’ and Awami League-backed candidate Chan Mia Shikder.
Also read: Three hurt in unexplained explosion while cutting tree at Rajbari
A chase and counter-chase took place between them and a number of bombs were hurled during the incident.
Also read: Ctg Cylinder blast: One injured dies in Dhaka
Alamgir suffered injuries in the attack and was undergoing treatment at hospital in Mohammarpur area of Dhaka where he succumbed to his injures on Monday morning, said the OC.
2nd phase of UP polls marred by violence; 6 dead
At least six people were killed and over 100 others injured as the 2nd phase of union parishad (UP) elections ended on Thursday afternoon amid sporadic violence and irregularities. Violence was reported from different parts of the country, including Narsingdi, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Chattogram. Three people had been killed and 30 others injured at Bashgari union in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district, hours before the voting began. The deceased were identified as Salauddin, 30, son of Hekim Mia, Jahangir, 26, son of Abdul Haque Mia and Dulala, 45, son of Hazi Siraj of Bashgari village in the upazila. The deceased were supporters of Ashraful Islam, an Awami League-backed candidate for the post of chairman in Bashgari UP. Satyajit Kumar Ghosh, assistant superintendent of police (Raipura circle), said supporters of Ashraful and Ratul Hasan Zakir, an independent candidate, attacked each other in front of Bashgari Union Parishad complex around 6 am, two hours before the beginning of the elections. The two groups fired gunshots and attacked each other with teta (a type of fish spearing), leaving three people dead and 30 others injured, he said. The injured were taken to Brahmanbaria and Narsingdi Sadar hospitals. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Read: UP polls violence leaves one dead in Cumilla UNB Cox’s Bazar correspondent reports: A man was shot dead and six others were injured in a clash between the supporters of two member candidates at Khurushkul in Sadar upazila. The deceased was identified as Akteruzzaman Putu, 35, younger brother of Sheikh Kamal, a member candidate of Khurushkul No 1 ward. Commander of Crime Prevention Specialized Company (CCPS) Major Mehedi Hasan of Rab-15 said the supporters of member candidate Babul were trying to stuff ballots during voting at Khurushkul Tetoia Government Primary School centre. But the supporters of Akterruzaman obstructed them, triggering the clash. In Cumilla, a clash broke out around 12pm between the supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate Zakir Hossain and independent candidate Harun-ur-Rashid over establishing dominance at Amirabad Primary School centre of Manikar union in Meghna upazila, leaving 21 people injured.
UP polls violence leaves one dead in Cumilla
A youth was killed and 20 others were injured at Manikar union in Meghna upazila of Cumilla district during the Union Parishad (UP) polls across the country on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Shaon Mia, a supporter of an independent candidate for chairman post.
Read: College teacher on poll duty dies in Kushtia
Locals said a clash broke out around 12pm between the supporters of Awami League-backed candidate Jakir Hossain and independent candidate Harun-ur-Rashid over establishing dominance at Amirabad Primary School center in the union leaving over 20 people injured.
Later, the injured were sent to Meghna upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Shaon dead.
Dr Salauddin Molla, consultant of the Health Complex, said one of the inured died upon arrival and six others were shifted to Dhaka for better treatment as their condition deteriorated.
Read: UP polls violence: 3 killed in Narsingdi
Polling began in 835 of 848 UPs at 8am on Thursday and will continue till 4pm.
More than 41,000 candidates, including 3,310 contenders for the post of chairman, are contesting in the countrywide second phase UP election.
College teacher on poll duty dies in Kushtia
A college teacher roped in as a presiding officer for the union parishad (UP) election, died at a polling station in Kushtia on Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as Joynal Abedin, a teacher of Nimtala College of Mirpur upazila. He was assigned to the Ramnagar Titula polling station in Mirpur.
Read: Lone digital X-Ray machine out of service for 17 months at Kushtia Hospital
Joynal complained of breathing difficulty around 11pm and died within minutes, said returning officer of Kursha union Nurul Islam. "We suspect he died of cardiac arrest."
Voting in 11 union parishads in Mirpur upazila and six in Bheramara upazila is currently underway as the second phase of polls kicked off in Bangladesh on Thursday.
Read: One dead in Narsingdi as UP polls kick off
15 hurt as violence vitiates Pabna's pre-poll environment
As many as 15 people were injured, five of them with bullet wounds, when supporters of two rival candidates for the upcoming Hatkhali Union Parishad election allegedly clashed in Barbhagia village of Pabna Thursday night.
Police, however, claimed on Friday that it was actually a clash between two families in the village under Sujanagar upazila over an unapproved love affair.
Those who sustained bullet injuries have been identified as Azhar Ali Molla, 65, Azgar Ali Molla, 60, Khairul Islam, 40, Rehena Khatun, 35, and Jubayer Hossain. Four of them have been shifted to Pabna General Hospital from the upazila health complex.
Also read: Chattogram: Two killed in clash over boundary wall dispute
Firoz Ahmed Khan, the organisational secretary of the upazila Krishak League, an associate outfit of the Awami League, told UNB that the members of the ruling party had been attacking rival candidates for the UP election since October 26, the last day of withdrawing nominations.
Firoz is contesting the UP election for the chairman's post as an independent, while Abdur Rauf is the ruling party candidate.
"Around 8.30pm on Thursday, a gang of miscreants owing allegiance to Abdur, went on a vandalism spree in Barbhagia village, attacking residents and damaging houses as well as the election office in Nuruddin Bazar. Some of the miscreants fired at my supporters," Firoz claimed.
Also read: 1 killed, 4 injured in clash over a road accident in Sunamganj
Abdur, however, refuted the allegations, claiming it was a clash between the Bishwash and Molla community in the village over a love affair. "Firoz is trying to exploit the situation,” he said.
Officer-in-charge of Sujanagar police station Mizanur Rahman also said it was not a UP poll-related violence, "but rather a love affair related clash between two groups owing allegiance to Firoz".
“Currently the situation is under control. A heavy police force has been deployed in the village," he said. "We will initiate legal action, post-filing of a complaint."
Violence, vandalism mar run up to Netrokona UP polls; 25 injured
At least 25 people were injured in clashes between the supporters of rival candidates ahead of the union parishad (UP) polls in Netrokona.
The incidents took place Wednesday and Thursday in Dakshin Bishiura, Lokkhiganj unions of Netrokona Sadar upazila and Singdha and Raipur unions of Barhatta upazila, according to police.
Complaints and counter-complaints were lodged at Netrokona Model Police Station in this connection. The law enforcers visited the spots Thursday.
Also read: 1 killed, dozens wounded in Faridpur UP polls violence
According to local sources, Mohammad Abu Bakar Siddique, Awami League candidate for the Dokkhin Bishiura union parishad election and also ruling party president of the area, got his party's "boat" symbol. Rebel candidate Abul Kalam, the former chairman of the union, got the "motorcycle" symbol.
After receiving the symbols, the supporters of the two candidates started electioneering. As they came across each other at the Dokkhin Bishiura Bazaar, a fight broke out between them, resulting in the injury of 15 people.
At that time, chairs, tables, furniture, photo frames with pictures of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were shattered and posters of ruling party candidates were torn down.
Md Bachchu Mia, a supporter of Abu Bakar, said, "Supporters of rebel candidate [Kalam] carried out the attack and vandalised the office furniture and damaged photos of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "
Also read: UP polls: Chairman candidate shot dead in Rangamati
However, Kalam said: "None of my supporters did that. Supporters of the Awami League candidate planned the incident themselves. The people of the area are well aware of this."
On the same day, SM Shafiqul Quader Suja, district BNP leader and current chairman, received the "eyeglass" symbol, for the Lokkhiganj union parishad election at 8:30pm. When his supporters went out to persuade people to vote for him in the election, Awami League candidate Azharul Haque Tuhin's men attacked them at the union's Sultangati Bazaar, leaving five injured.
During electioneering of Atiqur Rahman Raju, Awami League's rebel candidate from Barhatta's Raipur union and incumbent chairman, Thursday morning, supporters of Ali Akbar Talukder, the candidate for "boat" symbol, vandalised their rival's autorickshaws and mics.
The residence of BNP electoral candidate Sujan Chowdhury was vandalised and looted Wednesday night in Snigdha of Barhatta. The attackers took away Tk3.70 lakh and injured five people.
The BNP leader claimed that the Awami League candidate's men attacked his house.
Akbar Ali Munsi, Netrokona's superintendent of police, said: "There have been some isolated incidents [of violence and vandalism] in different parts of the district ahead of the polls. Police already visited the spots. Action will be taken upon completion of investigations into the incidents."
Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mohammad Abdur Rahman said, "We are holding talks with the electoral candidates to prevent violence during and in the aftermath of the elections. However, some unwanted incidents already occurred."