AL man killed in Kushtia pre-poll violence

An activist of ruling Awami League was killed and 10 others were injured today in a clash between the supporters of two chairman candidates contesting the upcoming fourth phase union parishad (UP) elections in Kushtia Sadar upazila.

Laltu Mollah, 55, was declared dead when he was taken to Kushtia General Hospital around 11:30am, our Kushtia correspondent reports quoting Md Shahabuddin, officer-in-charge of Kushtia Model Police Station.

The supporters of Akteruzzaman Biswas, AL general secretary of Sadar upazila unit, and rebel candidate Serajul Islam, office secretary of Kushtia Sadar Jubo League unit, locked into the clash at Dohokula in Sadar upazila around 10:30am, said Zoynal Abedin, additional superintendent of Kushtia police.

The clash ensued when the supporter of Akteruzzaman swooped on the people of the rebel candidate, who were campaigning in Alampur union, the additional SP said.

Laltu, a supporter of Serajul who suffered head injuries, was taken to Kushtia General Hospital where he died around 11.45am, he added.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The ten others injured belonging to both the groups were admitted to the same hospital.

Additional police forces were deployed in the areas, the police official added.

The fourth phase of UP elections will be held on May 7.