Five people, including three in Jamalpur, were killed and over 50 others injured as the 5th phase of Union Parishad election was marred by violence and irregularities on Saturday.
The balloting for the lowest tier of local government election started at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break through 6,484 polling stations.
Three people were killed in Jamalpur district, one each in Nokhali and Chittagong.
Meanwhile, 20 people were injured in a police firing in Dewaganj of Jamalpur while 11 others in Burichong and Megna upazila of Comilla and 25 in Sadar upazila of Laxmipur and two each in Chittagong and Noakhli.
According to reports reaching the UNB news desk, three people — Ziaur Rahman, 33, son of Nurul Islam, Majez, 15, son of Afzal Sheikh, and Nurul Islam, 55, son of Hafez Uddin — were killed and several others injured in a triangular clash between police and the supporters of two chairman candidates at Khutirchar Ebtadaye Madrasah Polling Station in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district around 10:35am, police super Nizam Uddin said.
The clash ensued between two groups while one of them tried to take control of the polling station in Bahadurabad union.
Later, the voting at the polling centre was suspended on allegation of capturing the centre during election.
Police fired 100 rounds of bullets to bring the situation under control, leaving 20 people injured.
In Chittagong, three people, including Mohammad Yasin, 40, a member candidate, suffered injures during a clash between Awami League backed-chairman candidate and its rival candidate at Shah Mirpur Government Primary School in Karnaphuli Police Station around 12:30pm.
They were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where doctor declared Yasin dead, said sub-inspector of the CMCH police camp Zahirul Islam.
Besides, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members arrested Abdul Kader Sujon, secretary of information and research affairs of district unit Awami League, along with a bag from Bhushi polling centre under Karaldanga union in Boalkhali upazila in the morning.
In Noakhali, Sirajul Islam, 50, an activist of Awami League, was shot dead and six others were injured in a clash between the supporters of Awami League and BNP at Razganj Government High School polling centre in Razganj union in Begumganj upazila in the morning.
Police said the clash ensued when the supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate stormed the polling centre for taking its control.
Later, both the groups exchanged gunfire, leaving Sirajul Islam, 50, dead on the spot and six others injured, said Illias Sharif, superintendent of police, Noakhali.
Besides, at least 20 crude bombs were exploded at Yaarpur Government Primary School polling centre in Kabilpur union of Shenbagh upazila.
In Comilla, 11 people, including a member candidate, were injured in Bayerpar centre of Bharalla union in Burichong and in Porimabad Government Primary School centre of Gobindopur union of Meghna upazila.
In Laxmipur, 25 people, including three with bullets, were injured in separate clashes in various unions of Sadar upazila over taking control over the polling centre and vote rigging.
Meanwhile, police arrested 11 people from different parts of the upazila on charge of casting fake votes.
In Brahmanbaria, several crude bombs were exploded when the supporters of two member candidates locked into a clash at Mohammadpur Government Primary School polling centre under Ramaril union in sadar upazila.
Police fired bullets to disperse them and brought the situation under control.
Voting in two polling stations of Senbagh upazila of Noakhali and Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district were suspended over allegations of ballot snatching and occupying polling stations.
Besides, eight BNP-backed chairman candidates boycotted the election in Brahmanbaria, Laxmipur and Noakhali districts. — Dhaka, May 28 (UNB)
