40 injured in Myanmar municipal polls

BANGLADESH – At least 40 people were injured in sporadic clashes at different polling centers in seven districts across the country since the beginning of the polls at 8:00am this morning.

Tangail

At Bhuapur municipality of Tangail, supporters of Awami League nominated candidate Masudul Haque Masud swooped on AL rebel candidate Tarikul Islam Chanchal and his polling agent Aminul Islam Babu at Ghatandi polling center around 9:30am, reports our Tangail correspondent.

Tarikul and Babu are being treated at Tangail Medical College Hospital, he added.

Meanwhile, Bhuapur upazila parishad Vice-Chairman Shahinul Islam was injured in a clash between two groups of Awami League supporters at Bhuapur Model School polling center. Around 15 minutes after the incident, the supporters of Masud swooped on supporters of BNP candidate Abdul Khalek Mondol, injuring seven.

The injured were taken to Bhuapur Upazila Health Complex, our correspondent reported.

Chandpur

At least seven people were injured in two separate clashes between AL and BNP men at two polling center of Matlab municipality in the district.

Of them, five were taken to a local hospital, our Chandpur correspondent reports quoting Farhana Islam, returning officer and also Matlab Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

Police fired 15 shots to bring the situation under control at Dakkhin Baishpur Government Primary School polling center around 9:30am, injuring five people.

Following the incident, voting was suspended for one hour at the center.

Pirojpur

Three BNP agents were beaten up by ruling Awami League activists in Swarupkathi municipality in Pirojpur, early today.

Voters alleged that outsiders entered into the centers and forcefully casted their votes. Some 800 votes were already casted by 10:00am at Akolom High School center, which is quite suspicious, reports our Pirojpur correspondent.

BNP backed candidate Shafiqul Islam Farid told reporters that he does not want to contest the polls anymore, considering the present situation, our correspondent reported.

There were no BNP agents present in any of the nine wards in the municipality when the report was filed around 12:30pm, our correspondent added.

Patuakhali

At least seven people were injured in a clash between supporters of local Awami League and BNP at Panjupara polling center in Kuakata municipality.

The clash broke out when local AL activists were casting votes in favour of their mayoral candidate soon after the voting started, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.

Following the clash, voters fled from the polling center, he added.

Azizur Rahman officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station confirmed our correspondent about the clash.

Returning Officer Nazmul Kabir said, “The situation is totally under control and we will resume voting if any voter comes.”

Pabna

Some five people were injured in separate clashes between supporters of AL nominated candidate and its rebel candidate at Sujapur, Bhobanipur and Char Bhobanipur polling centers in Sujapur municipality of the district, reports our local correspondent.

Natore

At least seven BNP supporters were injured after they were allegedly beaten by ruling Awami League supporters at three separate polling centers in Natore.

“AL supporters” swooped on Shahin, a BNP activist, in Phulbagan area of the district town around 9:00am. On the other hand, allegation was also reported that supporters of AL nominated candidate Shahnewaz beat up five supporters of BNP rebel candidate Amzad Hossain to occupy the Ghaisapara polling center in Gurudaspur municipality.

Another BNP activist, Shiraj was beat up by ruling party activists at Tebaria polling center.

Chittagong

BNP mayoral candidate Abul Mansur was reported injured after he was allegedly attacked by ruling party men while he was on his way to Pontijila High School polling center in Sitakunda area of the district.