- Independent candidate's worker killed in Madaripur
- Clashes in Cumilla, Rajshahi, Faridpur & Munshiganj
As the campaigns going on at full swing in the polls field, candidates are showing violence towards each other. Apart from the Jatiya Party (JaPa) is in the election, now the AL's main competitor in the field are the independents candidates who are participating the election from AL itself. In the 24 hours before writing this report yesterday evening, there were reports of clashes in at least five constituencies in the country. In five of those five seats, there were clashes between the supporters of AL and independent candidates.
An analysis of the incidents showed that in five incidents, supporters of four AL candidates attacked the supporters of independent candidates. At least one person was killed and several others were injured in the attack. Another incident happened where AL supporters were attacked by supporters of independent candidates.
Many important parties, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, are not in the 12th parliamentary elections. These parties are in the field for the establishment of a non-party caretaker government during the election, claiming that there is no level field. Keeping in mind that BNP and its allies may not participate in the election, AL had instructed to keep dummy candidates. Similarly, the party was encouraged to run as an independent candidate. With that instruction and encouragement, many AL candidates have made their wives and some of their brothers or other relatives dummy candidates. On the other hand, many AL leaders are contesting as independent candidates without getting party nomination. But these independent candidates have also been attacked in the field, raising many questions about whether a fair environment will be ensured in the field. Election experts and political analysts said that such a picture will not bring anything good in the voting field.
Meanwhile, Eskander Khan died while undergoing treatment at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital around 12:30 pm yesterday. He was an activist of an independent candidate in Kalkini of Madaripur district. He has been accused of hacking to death by boat supporters. The deceased was around 70 years old. He was the son of Amir Hossain Khan of Bhatbali village of Lakshmipur union of Kalkini upazila. The deceased Eskander was also a member of ward no 8 of Lakshmipur union of the upazila. Locals said he was a follower of Kalkini upazila AL president and independent candidate Tahmina Begum. Eskander's relatives alleged that followers of Madaripur-3 constituency AL candidate Abdus Sobhan Golap hacked him to death in the morning. Later, he was taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Miraj Mollah, sub-inspector of Barishal Metropolitan Police's Kotwali Model Police Station, said the body of the deceased was sent to the police. He has stab wounds on both his legs and left hand. There are also injuries of sharp weapons in different places of the body. Initially, it is believed that he died due to sharp weapon injuries. According to eyewitnesses, Eskandar Khan went out to walk on the road in front of his house around 7:00 pm yesterday. At that time, the supporters of Abdus Sobhan Mia Golap of Madaripur-3 constituency and former chairman of Lakshmipur union Fazlul Haque Bepari attacked him. The attackers hacked Eskandar Khan indiscriminately. His leg was also amputated. When he tried to resist, another person was stabbed. Later, the people of the neighborhood came forward to hear their screams and the attackers fled quickly.
Supporters of Faridpur-3 (Sadar) independent candidate Abdul Quader Azad (AK Azad) were also allegedly attacked. The incident took place at Biren Sahar Mor area of Ishan Gopalpur union of Sadar upazila around 8:15 pm on Friday. Five supporters of AK Azad were injured in the attack. The injured people alleged that the attack was led by Shahidul Islam, chairman of Ishan Gopalpur Union Parishad (UP) and a supporter of Awami League candidate Shamim Haque.
A supporter of independent candidate Rahenul Haque of Rajshahi-6 (Charghat-Bagha) constituency was allegedly attacked and beaten up by supporters of 'boat'. On Thursday night, there was an attack and beating in Sardah Bazar of the upazila. When the independent candidate's worker was seriously injured, locals rescued and admitted him to Charghat Upazila Complex for treatment. Confirming the incident, Charghat Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge ASM Siddiqur Rahman said Nazir Hossain, known as an activist of independent candidate Rahenul Haque, was returning to his home in Sadipur area after campaigning for the scissors symbol in the traffic intersection area on Thursday night. At that time, when they reached in front of the boat symbol office in Sardah Bazar, the supporters of the boat symbol and Upazila Bastahara League president Shamim Sarkar and Sadipur area UP member Adil Member called him inside the office and started beating him in obscene language. Nazir Uddin was injured and fell to the ground. Later, locals rescued and admitted him to Charghat Upazila Health Complex.
Muntakim Ashraf Titu, an independent candidate for Cumilla-7 (Chandina) constituency and president of Chandina upazila AL, was attacked several times during his campaign. Chandina Municipality Mayor Shawkat Bhuiyan's son Md Tanim's car was vandalised during the campaign. Nine activists and supporters of the independent candidate were injured in the attack. Two of the injured were admitted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Muntakim Ashraf Titu made the allegation to reporters on Friday evening.
An independent candidate has been accused of beating his cousin seriously for supporting the boat in Munshiganj. On the other hand, there have been allegations of firing at the house of an independent candidate's supporter. The two incidents took place in Munshiganj's Char Kewar and Anandapur area of Mollakandi union. Munshiganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Thandar Khairul Islam said legal action will be taken after investigating the two incidents.
Election expert and chairman of the National Election Observation Council (NEOC) Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalim Ullah said AL should be tough to avoid clashes. Since the Election Commission is in charge of the referee, the commission will also have to play a strong role in the issue. He said this while talking to this reporter of Daily Post yesterday evening. He said those who are now independent candidates are also AL office-holders, so a situation like a civil dispute has been created among themselves which is in no way desirable. And it is the mood and mood of the election that has reduced him to a great extent. In this situation, AL and the Election Commission will have to play a role.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary and election analyst of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), thinks that the conflict that is happening in the field now is bound to happen. Talking to this correspondent of The Daily Post, he said that being a member of parliament has become an attractive issue, so many people try to become a member of parliament at any cost. Now it has become a profitable business. Because, if you become a member of parliament, your condition improves, the people around you also get better. It can be the owner of money. It can keep close people well. You can get away with wrongdoing yourself. As a result, candidates want to be elected even if they risk their lives and put the lives of others at risk.
ARS
