Injured ex-UZ chairman dies in city

A former upazila chairman died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital on Tuesday, 19 days after he was injured in a clash between his supporters and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Bagerhat. The dead is Sardar Niamat Hossain, 60, former chairman of Fakirhat Upazila (UZ) Parishad and son of late Sardar Akkas Ali of Satshikha village in the upazila. Niamat, who was undergoing treatment at BSMMU Hospital, succumbed to his injuries at 8:30am, said Niamat’s daughter Rumana Aktar Rupa. Police and locals said the clash took place at Satshika in Fakirhat on February 27 when Niamat, an AL-backed UZ chairman candidate, had an altercation with an executive magistrate at Satshika Government Primary School polling centre during the second phase of UZ polls on Feb 27 over the arrest of his (Nimat’s) two supporters. At one stage, Niamat, also a local Awami League leader, and his supporters had heated talks with the magistrate over the issue. BGB members beat up Niamat and some of his followers that left three people, including him, injured. Naimat was admitted to Fakirhat Upazila Health Complex which referred him to BSMMU, according to UNB.