UP polls violence claims 4 more lives

Four more people were killed in the last two days, raising the death toll to around 80 in violence over union parishad polls.

The pre-polls violence continued in different districts, panicking voters ahead of the fifth phase of the elections scheduled for May 28.

Around 6,000 people were also injured in the polls-related violence after the UP polls schedule was announced in February, according to media reports.

In Chittagong, criminals killed a man while he was pasting posters of Awami League's rebel chairman candidate in Islampur in Rangunia upazila early yesterday.

The victim Mohammad Mohsin, 40, was of Khatibnagar of the union.

Claiming Mohsin as his supporter, the rebel candidate, Sirajuddaullah Dulal, alleged that followers of AL chairman candidate Ikbal Hossain Chowdhury killed Mohsin. 

Ikbal denied the allegation.

Mohammad Humayun, officer-in-charge of Rangunia Police Station, said the killing could have been due to a feud over the ownership of a tea stall.

In Narsingdi, the body of a man was found with his throat slit on the bank of a river in Baduarchar yesterday.

Ebaidullah, 30, was a supporter of a member candidate in Hazipur union.

Ebaidullah might have been killed following feud over the polls, said locals. 

In Sylhet, Rokib Miah, 40, was killed over a silly matter in Goalabazar union of Osmaninagar on Monday night.

Member candidate Aptab Miah in Goalabazar union brought out an election procession on Monday afternoon and his men were distributing leaflets.

Six-year-old Marzana, a niece of Rokib, asked for a leaflet. But campaigner Jakir pushed the child aside. Seeing it, her father Dilbar Miah attacked Jakir and injured him.

Rokib along with others took Jakir to his house after his treatment.

While returning from the house, Jakir's relatives attacked and injured them, alleged Rokib's family. 

Later, Rokib was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where he died yesterday.

In Munshiganj, Mohammad Hanif, 30, was shot dead Monday night near an election camp of AL chairman candidate in Hosendi union.

Police, however, could not confirm whether the victim was a supporter of any political party or a candidate. 

In Mymensingh, criminals opened fire on Jubo League activist Shafiqul Islam Sohag Fakir.

Sohag was campaigning at Charbariabazar for AL's chairman aspirant in Longair union of Gofargoan Monday night. 

Elections to 725 UPs were held on March 22 in the first phase, 639 UPs on March 31 in the second phase, 615 UPs on April 23 in the third phase and 703 UPs on May 7 in the fourth phase.

Polls to 733 UPs are slated for May 28 in the fifth phase and 724 more UPs on June 4 in the sixth phase.

Our correspondents from Chittagong, Narsingdi, Sylhet, Munshiganj and Mymensingh have contributed to this report.