One killed, 10 injured in Kushtia pre-poll violence

One person has been killed and 10 others injured in a clash between the supporters of an Awami League-nominated chairman aspirant and a rebel candidate ahead of the union council polls in Kushtia.

Police have identified the deceased as Laltu Molla, son of Sohrab Uddin of Dahakula village under Kushtia Sadar’s Alampur union.
 
The injured were sent to Kushtia General Hospital. Their identities could not be known immediately.
 
Police said the clash occurred in Dahakula village on Thursday morning.
 
The election to Dahakula union council is scheduled for May 7.
 
Police said statements made by various speakers against Awami League’s rebel candidate Sheikh Siraj Uddin at an election meeting of the party at Sahakul Bazar on Wednesday afternoon enraged his supporters.
 
In a sequel to it, supporters of Awami League aspirant Aktaruzzaman Biswas and Siraj were locked in a clash around 8:30am on Thursday, Kushtia Sadar police OC Sahabuddin Chowdhury said quoting locals.
 
He said, “10-11 people were injured in the clash. They were taken to Kushtia General Hospital. Doctor pronounced Laltu Molla dead after he was taken to the hospital.”
 
The officer said supporters of the two candidates engaged in another round of clash after the news of Laltu’s death spread, but police rushed there and brought the situation under control.
 
Kushtia ASP Joynul Abedin said police personnel were deployed in the area to avert any further untoward incident.