Crude bomb blasts, clashes disrupt polling in several districts

Crude bomb explosions and scattered clashes between rival supporters disrupted voting in several districts today (12 February), as law enforcement agencies launched operations and made arrests to contain unrest during the national polls.

In Munshiganj, a crude bomb exploded at Makahati Gurucharan High School polling centre in Mollakandi Union of Sadar upazila. The army later recovered a firearm and several fresh cocktails during an operation in the area and arrested five people in connection with the incident.

According to army and police sources, the operation continued from morning until noon. One of those arrested, identified as Nahid, had been detained the previous night. During a follow-up drive near his residence, security forces recovered a firearm and several cocktails.

Sajeeb De, investigation officer at Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, said Nahid has at least 15 cases filed against him. "However, we have not been able to confirm whose side he was working for," he said.

Earlier in the day, around 10am, supporters of Jatiya Party candidate Md Kamruzzaman and independent candidate Md Mohiuddin were involved in a chase and counter-chase in the area. Police said no casualties were reported.

In Gopalganj, two Ansar members and a 13-year-old girl were injured when a crude bomb exploded at Resma International School polling centre in Nichupara around 9am. The injured were identified as Ansar members Sukanta Majumdar and Jamal Molla, and Amena Khanam, daughter of Ashraf Ali Mishu.

Presiding Officer Zahirul Islam said the injuries were minor and voting continued uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, six other Ansar members sustained injuries in separate incidents in Khagrachhari and Gaibandha, according to a statement from Bangladesh Ansar and VDP.

In Bhola-1 constituency, miscreants exploded crude bombs at Alinagar School and College polling centre around 12:15pm before entering the premises, assaulting officials and snatching ballot papers. Presiding Officer Omar Faruk said 56 ballot papers were taken away and 76 were stamped irregularly. Voting was suspended for nearly one and a half hours.

Police and the upazila administration later brought the situation under control and arrested a Jamaat-e-Islami activist from the scene.

Clashes were reported in Chattogram's Anwara upazila, where at least six people, including two polling agents, were injured outside Guapanchak High School polling centre. 

Police said tensions rose around noon, leading to a chase and counter-chase between supporters of rival candidates.

Officer-in-Charge Md Junayet Chowdhury said additional police were deployed and the situation was brought under control. The injured were admitted to Anwara Upazila Health Complex.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Islami Front-nominated candidate alleged that a group of 30-40 supporters of the BNP-backed candidate attacked their followers, triggering a chase and counter-chase that escalated into a clash.

However, local BNP leader Lokman Shah said the clash resulted from a misunderstanding with supporters of Jamaat and the Greater Sunni Alliance candidate while trying to resist Awami League activists.

In Bagerhat's Sarankhola upazila, at least 15 activists from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in a clash in Sonatola village. Both sides accused each other of triggering the violence. 

Superintendent of Police Hasan Chowdhury said authorities were maintaining a zero-tolerance stance. "If anyone attempts to commit any kind of offence, they will be brought under the law," he said. 

Returning Officer and Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten said police were preparing to file a case.

In Brahmanbaria-2, supporters of BNP alliance-backed candidate Maulana Junaid Al Habib and independent candidate Barrister Rumeen Farhana scuffled at a polling centre in Sarail, halting voting for about 10 minutes before law enforcement restored order.

Meanwhile, independent candidate SN Tarun Dey alleged that supporters of Rumeen Farhana attempted to cast fake votes at several centres and claimed there was inadequate security at some locations.