UP polls violence: One killed in Tangail ‘police firing’

A man was killed when police reportedly fired on supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate and supporters of independent chairman candidate at Sagardighi union parishad of Ghatail upazila in Tangail early Thursday.

Voting at the Gupta Brindabon Government Primary School centre has been suspended following the violence, said Tajul Islam, district election officer.

Sanjit Kumar Roy, superintendent of Tangail Police, said a group of people numbering 100/150 attacked the centre to loot ballot papers around 3:00am, hours before the beginning of balloting in the UP election.

As per instruction of the presiding officer, police fired bullets on the ballot papers snatchers to bring the situation under control, leaving one shot dead on the spot, the SP added.

The body was taken to Tangail Medical College and Hospital, he said.

Locals said that supporters of Awami League backed chairman candidate Hekmat Sikder were stuffing ballot papers at Brindabon Government Primary School centre around 3:00am. Then supporters of independent candidate Habibullah Bahar along with locals rushed to the spot and tried to obstruct them, triggering a clash.

Police fired bullets on the ballot papers snatchers to bring the situation under control, leaving Abdul Malek, 45, a resident of the village, dead on the spot, they added.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net