Defeated polls candidate's agent hacked to death

Miscreants have hacked to death a man in Noakhali. He was an agent of the Noakhali-2 constituency independent candidate in the 12th national election held on January 7. The incident happened in the East Mirzanagar village of Ward 08 under Nateshwar Union of Sonaimuri Upazila at around 10pm on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Shaheduzzaman Palash, 35, son of Md Jamal Uddin in the East Mirzanagar village. However, police could not find those who were behind the crime.

According to locals, Shaheduzzaman's body was found next to his own house by his neighbours. There were wounds on his face and temple. On information, police reached the spot and recovered the body at around 11:30pm.

Independent candidate Md Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan said Shaheduzzaman was a polling agent of the symbol 'scissors' in the East Mirzanagar Govt Primary School Centre. He has been receiving threats since the polling day from the rival candidate, Ataur Rahman said.

However, the victorious candidate of the constituency, MP Morshed Alam of the Awami League, has said the accusations are baseless.

Confirming the matter, Sonaimuri Police Station Officer in Charge Mohammad Bakhtiar Uddin Chowdhury said an investigation is ongoing to identify those involved in the murder.

/KN/