Two killed, 15 injured in Kutubdia-Maheshkhali election violence

 

Own representative: Cox's Bazar

Voting is going on in 14 Union Parishads of 2 municipalities of Cox's Bazar. However, two people were killed and 15 others injured in clashes during the election in Maheshkhali and Kutubdia. 7 of them were shot. Clashes broke out between supporters of Sheikh Kamal, the chairman candidate's boat symbol, and Musharraf's rebel candidate at the 5th World Polling Station in Maheshkhali's Qutubjum Union. Eight people were shot dead in the clash which lasted for about half an hour at around 9 am.

Abul Kalam died on the way to the hospital, locals said. Besides, the boat's agent Abdul Halim died at Tilakkata center in Baraghop union of Kutubdia upazila. The administration stopped voting at the center. Returning officer Masud Qutubi said voting resumed an hour later.

The first phase of elections is underway in Chakaria and Maheshkhali municipalities of Cox's Bazar and 14 union parishads of four upazilas. Voting begins at 8 a.m. Monday (September 20). It will continue till 4 pm. The administration is highly prepared to make the elections free, fair and neutral. The administration has said that isolated incidents in some areas will not affect the election.