Violence erupted across the country with numerous reports of burning polling centres and elections camps as the campaigns for the 12th general elections reach the final stage,.
Polling centres were burnt in Rajshahi and Feni, while elections camps were set on fire in Chapai Nawabganj and Natore.
In Rajshahi, four polling centres set up in schools were set on fire in three constituencies early Friday. Miscreants used petrol bombs to set the polling stations on fire. School furniture, including books and papers, were burnt in the fire. Two hand bombs were also found in front of a polling station.
The affected polling centres are Mohonpur High School in Mohonpur upazila for the Rajshahi-3 constituency, Akkelpur High School in Bagmara Upazila for the Rajshahi-4 constituency, and Jhina Primary School and Jotanshi Primary School in Bagha Upazila for the Rajshahi-6 constituency.
Rafiqul Islam, additional superintendent of police and the spokesperson for Rajshahi district police, stated that various school materials and documents were damaged by the flames, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
Two hand bombs were found in front of Akkelpur High School in Bagmara. The police secured the area, and a bomb disposal squad neutralized the bombs, he said.
Arvind Sarkar, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bagmara Police Station, said miscreants targeted the Akkelpur High School polling centre in Ganeepur Union. They threw a petrol bomb into the office chamber, causing a fire. The flames spread inside, damaging books and papers. As people nearby heard the commotion, the miscreants fled the scene, leaving behind two hand bombs at the school gate.
Local residents immediately called the national emergency service number (999), prompting the police to rush to the scene. A bomb disposal squad successfully neutralized the bombs, he added.
In Fenimiscreants set fire to a polling centre in Sonagazi upazila. The incident took place at Charshaha Bhikari High School polling centre in Char Darbesh union of the upazila Friday morning.
On information, a unit of Sonagazi fire station arrived at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after an hour of effort. Some furniture were damaged in the fire which gutted the school’s teachers’ auditorium.
Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sonagazi-Daganbhuiyan Circle) Tasnim Hossain said police were investigating the incident to determine whether it was aimed at disrupting the polling activities.
Sonagazi Upazila Assistant Returning Officer Kamrul Hasan mentioned that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident. Additionally, security measures will be heightened during the upcoming election, said the election official.
Khair Ullah, the acting headmaster of the school, mentioned that during the school’s audit, President Dr. Abdul Haque relieved Headmaster Joynal Abedin from his position.
A total of 4,354 men and women are set to exercise their franchise at Charsaha Bhikari High School centre in Sunday’s parliamentary election.
In Chapainawabganj, miscreants set fire to an election camp of the Awami League-nominated candidate in the Chapainawabganj-1 constituency.
The incident took place at Shikarpur area of Mobarakpur union of Shibganj upazila on Thursday night. A part of the camp’s fence was burnt.
Sajjad Hossain, the officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station, mentioned that a part of the election camp was burnt in the fire.
Upon receiving the information, the police visited the site and collected evidence.
He further added that legal action is underway regarding this incident.
In Natore, an election camp of Asif Abdullah Shovon, an independent candidate from Natore-4 constituency, was set on fire in Natore’s Baraigram upazila. Miscreants set fire to the camp in Haroa area of Banpara municipality of the upazila. The camp’s furniture were damaged in the fire.
Confirming the incident, Inspector Sirajul Islam, in-charge of Banpara Police Investigation Centre, said police visited the spot and collected evidence.
Over the past few weeks, Natore has witnessed a surge in violence between candidates nominated by the Awami League and independent candidates, revolving around campaigns for the 12th parliamentary elections.
Supporters from both sides have levied accusations against each other, citing targeted attacks aimed at disrupting the election campaigns.
In Khulna, a guard of Awami League nominated candidate for Khulna-3 constituency SM Kamal Hossain’s election campaign camp was injured after miscreants threw kerosene at him outside the camp early Friday.
The injured, Hasan Farazi, was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Khan Jahan Ali Police Station OC Momtazul Haque said, two to three miscreants threw kerosene at Hasan Farazi, at the camp in Jogipole area around 2:30 am on Friday.
“Some parts of Hasan’s neck were burnt in the fire. He was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital for treatment,” he said.
The OC added that no one was arrested in this connection.
Kamal said he thinks BNP-Jamaat miscreants carried out the attack.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mozammel Haque said the injured is now out of danger.
“We have already received the names of the saboteurs. Those who boycotted the vote are the perpetrators of this sabotage. They will be brought under the law soon,” he said.
