66 hurt in Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kushtia

The authorities suspended formation of Gram Sarkar at two places in Nilphamari and at one place in Gaibandha following clashes.

Two of the injured in Nilphamari have been admitted to hospital in critical conditions.

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Our Nilphamari correspondent reported that 31 people were injured in clashes between rival groups at different places.

Five persons were injured at ward No. 2 in Dimla Sadar union when local BNP leader Mojnur Rahman, contesting for the post of gannya mannya bakti (elite), allegedly brought some outsiders to vote for him, only to be opposed by two other contestants.

Supporters of his opponents immediately took out a procession and then clashed with Rahman's men.

As the violence subsided, the Upazila Agriculture Officer who represented the UNO at the polls venue, declared the Gram Sarker. Rahman is in the committee, sources there said.

Twenty 20 people were injured in word No. 2 in Khalisha Chapani union under Dimla upazila when supporters of rival BNP leaders Kamruzzaman and Hazi Khalek clashed. Both contested for the post of gannya mannya bakti.

Choto Khata Shakhil Madrassah, where the polls were held, was ransacked during the clash, allegedly by some local BNP activists.

Formation of the village committees was postponed in ward No 7 and ward No 8 in Harinchhara union under Domar upazila following attacks on the polls venues, allegedly by outsiders.

Six persons were injured at one of the venues, Harinchhara Primary School.

Two of the injured-- Mujibul and Abu Sazzad-- were admitted to Domar Upazila Health Complex in critical conditions.

It could not be known who were the attackers and why they swooped on the venue.

Interestingly, most of the clashes during formation of Gram Sarkar in the district in the last few days took place over the post of gannya mannya bakti.

Our Gaibandha correspondent reported that the authorities postponed Gram Sarkar polls at Baushi village in Fulchari upazila as clashes between supporters of two rival candidates left 11 people injured.

The two were contesting for the post of 'businessmen representative' in the Gram Sarkar.

When their names were proposed, the authorities asked their supporters to line up separately for counting.

They followed the order. But things turned chaotic as counting began and clashes ensued that ended in chase and counter-chase.

Our correspondent reported from Kushtia that at least at least 24 people were injured when two factions of BNP clashed after formation of Gram Sarkar at Foyzullahpur vilallge in Bheramara upazila.

The rival factions were led by Elahi Box and Kasem.

The clash ensued when supporters of Elahi beat Bablu of the rival faction when he was returning home after formation Gram Sarkar.

As the news spread, the factions clashed using lethal weapons, leaving 25 people injured.

The injured persons include Salam, Iunus, Barek, Khoka, Tota and Pintu, police said.