Clashes during UP polls in Gouranadi leave 1 dead, 10 injured

Fierce clashes between supporters of election contestants during the Khanjapur union parishad polls in Gouranadi upazila of Barishal left at least one dead and 10 injured on Monday.

According to witnesses, supporters of Montu Hawlader,55, contesting for UP member post with the ‘tube-well’ symbol, and the supporters of another contestant, Firoz Mridha, 48, contesting with the ‘hen’ electoral symbol, locked in clashes at noon on Monday during the UP polls.

The clashes erupted when supporters of Montu Hawlader handed a supporter of Firoz Mridha over to police on allegations of vote rigging at Kamlapur Primary School polling station, witnesses said.

The rivals exploded several home-made bombs near around the polling stations, resulting in postponement of voting for one hour.

The fierce clashes left Mouje Ali Mridha, 64, dead. Mouje Ali Mridha is a cousin of Firoz Mridha.

A witness and nephew of the deceased, Masud Rana, said his uncle was injured by splinters when supporters of Montu Hawlader threw crude bombs during the clash.

Mouje Ali Mridha was declared dead when locals rushed him to Gouranadi upazila health complex.

On the other hand, Saiful Islam, son of Montu Hawlader, claimed that at least five of their supporters were injured when a group of 40-50 supporters of Firoz Mridha attacked them with local weapons and crude bombs.

Presiding officer and head teacher at Chandrahar High School, Abu Bakar Siddique, said polling remained halted between 1:00pm and 2:15pm due to the clashes outside the polling station. The voting resumed after deployment of additional law enforcement personnel there.