Two killed in Meherpur election violence

Two brothers were killed and at least 20 others injured in Gangni Upazila of Meherpur district on Monday morning as the supporters of two candidates in the upcoming Union Parishad elections clashed. 

The deceased Zaharul Islam, 57, and Sahadul Islam, 55, were residents of Dhala village and brothers of Kathuli Union's 7 No. Ward member Azmain Hossain Tutul.

Police and locals said Tutul and upazila Krishak League general secretary and Dhala village resident Atiar Rahman had been at loggerheads and the conflict intensified as they both are competing for Member post at the same ward.

As a sequel, the men of both candidates equipping with arms and sticks clashed this morning, leaving 22 injured.

The injured were rushed to Gangni Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared two dead.

The upazila health complex's regional medical officer (RMO) BD Das said four in a critical condition were shifted to Kushtia Medical College Hospital.

Gangni Police Station officer in-charge Bazlur Rahman said the bodies were sent to hospital morgue for conducting an autopsy. 

However, police have been deployed on the spot and now the situation is calm and normal, he said.

Asif Iqbal/SU