Tension ran high with clashes between Awami League and BNP activists erupting in different parts of the country as campaigning for the forthcoming municipality elections drew to a close yesterday. Nearly 50 people were injured in the clashes among the political opponents. The victims included a BNP Sramik Dal leader, Kutubul Alam (45), who was attacked with sharp weapons at Shailkupa in Jhenaidah on Saturday night. The clashes also involved AL-backed contestants and the party’s rebel candidates, according to reports by The Independent’s correspondents and other sources yesterday. In one such incident, AL-backed candidate Haider Ali at Naria of Shariatpur complained that his home was vandalised by rebel candidate Shahidul Islam Rari and his supporters on Saturday night.
Our correspondent in Mymensingh reported that clashes broke out in Trishal during campaigning by AL candidate Zahidul islam Jewel Sarker and party rebel ABM Anisuzzaman. At least 25 people were injured, including one with serious wounds, in the clash.
At least 10 people were injured when the BNP office at Sharishabari in Jamalpur was set on fire following clashes between AL and BNP supporters during campaigning on Saturday night, reported our correspondent. The clashes broke out when the supporters of the AL mayoral candidate were passing in front of the BNP office.
Our correspondent from Narsingdi reported that at least 15 people were injured at Barsindi and Monohardi on Saturday night following clashes between the supporters of an AL rebel candidate and his BNP rival. Several houses of BNP men were reportedly vandalised in East Brahmandi area of Narsingdi, witnesses claimed.
BNP candidates stated they were frustrated that ruling party candidates with the help of police had raided the homes of their supporters and harassing them in many ways, including arrests.
A rebel AL candidate, SM Kaiyum, told reporters that the ruling party nominee had violated the electoral code of conduct and police had arrested 10 of his workers during raids at their homes every night.
Monohardi BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque accused the AL candidate, Aminur Rashid Sujon, of violating the election code of conduct.