One killed in post-election clashes in Bagerhat

A man injured in post-election violence in Bagerhat has died while undergoing treatment, police said on Saturday (February 14).

Osman Sardar, 29, a supporter of an independent (rebel) candidate, died around 11:30am at Khulna Medical College Hospital. He had been injured in a clash on Friday evening in Chhitabari village under Dhopakhali Union in Kachua upazila.

According to police and family members, supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an independent candidate were involved in a confrontation that left at least 10 people injured. Osman was allegedly struck on the head with a sharp weapon during an altercation with supporters of the BNP’s “Dhaner Shish” symbol, his family claimed. He was first taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital and later referred to Khulna for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Md. Masum Khan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bagerhat Model Police Station said police have been deployed to the area and are working to determine the cause of the clash and identify those involved.

In the Bagerhat-2 (Sadar-Kachua) constituency, BNP candidate Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain and rebel BNP candidate MAH Selim were both defeated by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Sheikh Monjurul Haque Rahad.