In Meherpur post-election violence.
18 boat workers and 3 leaders of defeated independent candidates were injured.
Meherpur Correspondent : 18 workers of the newly elected Member of Parliament Farhad Hossain were injured in a stampede by supporters of the defeated independent (Truck) candidate Prof. Abdul Mannan in Anandabas village in Mujibnagar Upazila of Meherpur. Three leaders and workers of the defeated independent candidate were injured in this incident. The incident took place in front of the house of Zia Uddin Bish, the vice president of district Awami League and chairman of Mujibnagar Upjela Parishad, at around 9:30 pm on Monday night.
The injured are former UP member Ferdos Ali (50), son of Kiamat Ali of Anandabas village, Akash (25), son of Al Mazul Molla, Tuku Bishas (40), son of deceased Bux Bishas, Hasib (13), son of Sirajul Islam, Altab Hossain. Son Antar (16), Fazlu Molla’s son Abdul Hamid (32), Rmat Jirot Ali’s son Ashraful Islam (45), deceased Osman’s son Ayat Ali (45), Naeemuddin Molla’s son Nahidul Islam (59), Ayub Hossain’s son Nahidul Islam (35 ) Waz Kuruni’s son Piyas (25), deceased Shaukat Ali’s son Ali Yashin (50) and 6 others.
Eyewitnesses said that around 9:30 pm, activists-supporters of boat candidate Farhad Hossain held a victory procession in Meherpur-1 constituency in Anandabas village. When the procession reached the house of Zia Uddin Bish, the leader of the independent candidate, district Awami League vice-president and chairman of Mujibnagar Upazila Parishad, a worker of the defeated independent candidate was hit by a truck from the procession. The people of the independent candidates were angry. Boat crews started throwing bricks and mortar at the supporters from the rooftops. At one point in the incident, activists of independent (Truck) candidates attacked supporters of boat activists with indigenous weapons and batons. 18 supporters of the boat party and three supporters of the independent candidate were injured. Locals rescued them and brought them to Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex. Among them, former UP member Ferdous Ali and three workers were sent to Meherpur General Hospital when their condition was critical.
Mujibnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ujjal Kumar Dutt said that a team of Mujibnagar Police Station went to the spot after receiving the information. Dispersed the leaders and workers of both sides. At present the situation is calm. Police have been deployed in the area. He also said that if anyone files a case, action will be taken against the culprits subject to investigation. No one has been arrested in this incident so far.
Fazlul Haque
Meherpur