Hindu voters ‘assaulted’ in Pirojpur ahead of UP polls

Seven Hindu voters have reportedly been assaulted in Pirojpur for what they claim supporting Awami League-backed candidate in the UP elections scheduled for Sunday.

The incident was reported from Nazirpur Upazila’s Joypur neighbourhood Friday night, said police.

Those injured are Paritosh Mali, Chittaranjan Majumdar, Geeta Rani Mali, Jyotsna Rani Mali, Ganesh Mali, Shukhoronjon Mali and Urmila Mali, all residents of ‘Mali Bari’, a house in the neighbourhood.

They are receiving treatment at Nazirpur Upazila Health Complex.

Mizanur Rahman Ripon is contesting the polls as an independent candidate with election symbol ‘pineapple’, against Awami League’s Uttam Kumar Maitra.

Nazirpur police OC Habibur Rahman said most of the residents of Joypur support Awami League.

Sudeb Mali of “Mali Bari” said Ripon’s people entered the house as part of the election campaign. “All of a sudden they started beating them and vandalised the place. They threatened us of dire consequences if we cast our votes for Awami League.”

They set fire to a shop during the wee hours of Saturday, said OC Rahman.

A case has been lodged over the incident, and one person has been held, he told bdnews24.com.

Resident Niranjan Mali said: “Our ancestors have been supporting Awami League for ages. They have threatened us to refrain from campaigning for Awami League.”

Uttam Kumar Maitra said goons of Ripon had been intimidating his followers and workers in the area.

Ripon could not be reached over phone.