At least two persons were killed and 50 others injured in violence ahead of Sunday's polling in 52 unions for electing new local councils.
Reports reaching the capital indicate the violence took place on Saturday night.
United News of Bangladesh reported from Habiganj, a villager, who was injured in post poll violence on June 27, died on Sunday raising the toll to two in the village Ruhitnosi in Lakhai upazila of the district. Police said at least 30 people were injured in clashes between rival groups on the day.
Earlier, at least 31 people were killed in violence in the second phase of the staggered union parishad elections, which began on May 31, amid stray clashes, intimidation and snatching of ballot boxes. The elections are set to end on July 5.
According to the Election Commission, 25 unions would go to polls today.
New Age correspondent in Tangail reported that two persons were killed and 20 others injured in separate clashes in two unions in the district.
An 18-year old villager Kawsar died in violence at Sohodevpur union between law enforcers and supporters of a defeated member candidate. The victim hailed from the village Sultia.
Another villager, 32-year old Kalachan was killed in violence when the supporters of councillor candidates fought at Narandhia union in Kalihati upazila. The victim hailed from the village Goria.
The police said that after the unofficial results were declared at Sultia centre in Shodevpur union they were going to the upazila headquarters at about 8 AM with ballot boxes.
They said that on the way supporters of the defeated member candidate Amzad Ali tried to snatch away ballot boxes from them, demanding recounting.
At one stage, the unruly supporters attacked police and they had to fire several rounds of bullet to disperse the mob triggering an hour long chase and counter chase that left Kawsar dead and left 20 people injured, nine of them policemen.
The injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital and upazila health complex.
At least one of them, Harun was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after his condition deteriorated.
In another incident, supporters of two councillor candidates clashed in Narandhia union leaving Kalachan dead.
Magistrate Tanvir Ahmed was injured when the two groups vandalised his jeep.
New Age correspondent in Pabna reported that an assistant presiding officer and a chairman candidate were jailed and fined for violating the election code of conduct during the voting in Goyeshpur and Dapunia unions in Sadar upazila Sunday.
In the morning, a mobile court, led by executive magistrate Shahina Akhter Sumi sentenced assistant presiding officer Dewan Mazharul Islam to serve imprisonment for a year for negligence of duty and irregularities at the polling centre at Goyeshpur union.
Court sources said he was handed the punishment for working as an agent of a chairman candidate violating the election code.
In separate case in the afternoon, she instantly tried chairman candidate Hasan Imam and fined him Tk 5,000 for violating the election code during voting at a centre in Dapunia union.
Source : New Age
