One killed in pre-election shootout in Chittagong

A man was killed, and another injured, in a gunfight – during a pre-election clash – in the port city of Chittagong on Tuesday night.

Sadip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Double Mooring police station, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.

According to the locals and the police, the supporters of two councillors engaged in a gunfight around 8pm at Mogpukurpar area in Pathantuli ward under Double Mooring police station in the city.

The deceased was identified as Azgar Ali Babul, 55. Another man, identified as Mahbub, was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) with gunshot injuries.

Also Read - Voting in Chittagong city polls rescheduled for Jan 27

Supporters of Awami League-backed councillor candidate, Nazrul Islam, and rebel candidate, Abdul Kader, engaged in the gunfight. At one stage, two got shot and one of them succumbed to his gunshot wounds.

Former ward councilor Abdul Kader is known to be a follower of Chittagong city Awami League general secretary AJM Nasir Uddin. This time, Kader failed to secure a ticket from the Awami League.

This time 172 councillor candidates for 40 general wards and 57 councilors for the reserved seat for women have joined the electoral race billed for January 27.