Man dies after post-poll violence in Bagerhat

NN Desk :

A supporter of an independent candidate has died after being injured in a clash between rival political activists following the Feb 12 election in Bagerhat’s Kachua Upazila.

Osman Sardar, 29, died around 11:30am on Saturday while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital, according to police.

He had been injured during a confrontation on Friday evening between supporters of the BNP and a BNP rebel who ran as an independent.

At least seven people from both sides were injured, police said, reports bdnews24.com
Osman was first taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Khulna as his condition worsened.

His elder brother, Enamul Kabir Sardar, alleged that the violence erupted when supporters of the BNP candidate were searching for activists backing the independent candidate.

“At one point, there was an argument with my brother and a few others. Eventually, they attacked my brother with sharp weapons,” he said.

Bagerhat Model Police Station chief Md Masum Khan said police were deployed to the area after news of the death.

“An investigation has begun to determine the cause of the clash and identify those involved,” he said.

In the Bagerhat-2 (Sadar-Kachua) constituency, the BNP nominated Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain as its candidate, while former district BNP president and former MP MAH Selim contested as an independent candidate.

Both were defeated by Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, who won the seat.