RAB official injured in Sreemangal UP polls clash

A member of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was injured in a clash with the local supporters of Awami League at a polling centre in Kalapur union during the Sreemangal upazila parishad by-polls in Moulvibazar.

The incident occurred at Kasimpur Government Primary School polling centre around 1pm on Thursday.

Confirming the matter, Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Md Zakaria said the situation was presently under control.

“Additional police forces were deployed at the polling centre to avoid further violence,” he added.

According to witnesses, RAB locked horns with supporters of the Awami League regarding crowding the polling centre Thursday afternoon.

The clash ensued when RAB troops started baton-charging on the disagreeable crowd, during which a member of the force was injured.

Later, RAB had to open blank fire to disperse the supporters of the Awami League from crowding the polling centre.

The voting was closed for about half an hour and resumed shortly after.

Four candidates—Bhanu Lal Roy of Awami League, Mizanur Rob of Jatiya Party, and independent candidates Afzal Haque and Premsagar Hajra are contesting for the post of Sreemangal UP chairman.

The seat fell vacant after its incumbent Randhir Kumar Dev died on May 21.

The upazila has a total of 233,916 voters.