One killed in Barisal UP poll clash

An elderly man was killed and at least two others were injured in a clash between the supporters of two candidates during the election to Khanzapur Union Parishad in Barisal’s Gournadi upazila on Monday.

The incident took place at the election centre of Kamalapur Government Primary School under Khanzapur union around noon. The deceased is Mouje Ali Mridha, 64, son of late Kader Mridha.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Barisal Range SM Akhtaruzzaman said: “The clash broke out at the election centre between two groups when an under-aged boy tried to cast a vote.”

At one point, Mridha was seriously injured by the opponent’s crude bomb.

Also Read- Man shot dead in election violence in Bhola

He was taken to Gournadi Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctors declared him dead.

Local sources said that at least two more people were also injured during the clash.

Gournadi Model police Inspector Touhiduzzaman said that the police members had fired blank shots to bring the situation under control.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Rob Hawlader and Gournadi Model police station Officer in-Charge (OC) Md Afzal Hossain visited the spot.

Meanwhile, another man was shot dead in election violence at Charfashion upazila in Bhola.

The by-election to Lakshmipur-2 constituency as well as regular polls to 204 Union Parishads (UPs) and two municipalities are underway on Monday amid the Covid-19 pandemic.