A man was killed following post-election violence between supporters of BNP and an independent (rebel) candidate in Kachua Upazila of Bagerhat district on Friday evening.
The deceased was identified as Osman Sardar, 29, a supporter of an independent candidate who contested with the horse symbol. He was the son of Shahjahan Sardar of Par Nawapara village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila.
The clash occurred on February 13 in Chhitabari village under Dhopakhali union of Kachua upazila between the supporters of the BNP’s “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol and those backing an independent “rebel” candidate. At least 10 people from both sides, including Osman, were injured in the violence.
According to the victim’s elder brother, Enamul Kabir Sardar, a group of supporters of the Sheaf of Paddy symbol had been searching the backers of the horse symbol in the area. An altercation ensued, and at one point Osman was struck on the head with a sharp weapon.
He was initially taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital in critical condition and later shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. He died around 11:30am on Saturday while undergoing treatment.
Officer-in-Charge Md. Masum Khan of Bagerhat Model Police Station said police were deployed to the area after news of Osman’s death spread. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to identify those involved.
In the parliamentary election for the Bagerhat-2 (Sadar–Kachua) constituency, the BNP-nominated candidate was Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain. The party’s former district president and former MP for the seat, MAH Selim, contested as an independent “rebel” candidate. Both were defeated by a large margin by Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad.