Candidate killed in campaign clash

FE Team | Published: May 23, 2024 00:16:00

A candidate for Raipura Upazila vice-chairman has been killed in a clash with a rival and their supporters in Narsingdi.
The incident occurred when the two sides came face to face while canvassing for votes in a remote river island area called Pahartoli on Wednesday afternoon, said Additional Superintendent of Police Afsan Al Alam, reports bdnews24.com.
The deceased has been identified as Sumon Mia (40) son of Charsubuddhi Union Council Chairman Nasir Uddin.
Sumon, a former joint general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League's Narsingdi College unit, was in the running in the May 29 ballot.
Locals said Sumon and his supporters were campaigning in the area and they came under attack by his rival Abid Hasan Rubel and Rubel's followers.
As a clash erupted after the attack, Sumon and at least four others from both sides were injured.
Sumon was rushed to Raipura Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared him dead at 6pm.
Afsan confirmed the locals' account of the incident. He said additional police personnel were deployed to the area and an investigation was launched.
Rubel, who is also a former BCL leader, spoke to reporters after the clash.
He alleged Sumon's supporters attacked them. After Sumon's death, Rubel was unreachable over the phone.
Local MP Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju visited the Upazila health facility and condemned the violence.