AL supporter killed in Kushtia, reportedly by opponents’ gunfire
“A manhunt is ongoing for the arrest of the accused, and additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain order,” said Md Akibul Islam, the officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali police station
A supporter of Awami League died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka on Monday, three days after being injured in a clash over the 7 January general election in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia.
The deceased, Ziar Hossain, 45, a resident of Kaya Union in the upazila, was a follower of AL-nominated candidate Selim Altaf Geroge.
Ziaur's brother, Altaf Hossain, also injured in the incident, is presently undergoing medical treatment.
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Upon spreading news of the death, supporters of the boat symbol reportedly vandalised and looted the homes of supporters of the truck symbol, according to local sources.
Md Akibul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali police station said a case had been filed against 14 individuals in connection with the attack. A drive is ongoing to arrest the accused, and additional police were deployed in the area to maintain order.
Iyarul Islam, the deceased's younger brother, said, "Former UP member Khalek and his three sons Ripon, Liton, and Shipon, and their gang-- supporters of independent candidate Abdur Rauf-- locked in an altercation with my two brothers on 12 January over voting for the boat."
At one stage of the altercation, they attacked and shot his two brothers, leaving them seriously injured.
In the constituency, Selim Altaf George, running with the boat symbol, was defeated by independent candidate Abdur Rauf, also an AL leader.
Locals said a longstanding conflict existed between the three brothers (Ziar, Iyarul, and Altaf) and former member Abdul Khalek, over establishing dominance in the area.
The clash on Friday morning was a continuation of this conflict, they added.
Attempts to contact Khalek and his son Ripon Ali were unsuccessful as their phones were switched off.
Kaya Union Parishad Chairman Md Ali Hossain demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits.
However, Kumarkhali police station OC had initially denied any shooting or gunshot wounds.
Tapas Kumar Sarkar, the residential medical officer of Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital also said that the two brothers were admitted to the hospital after being injured by shotgun pellets.
Of them, Ziar was taken to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) in Dhaka for advanced treatment
