Hefazat violence accused wins UP chairman poll from behind bars

An independent candidate who has been accused in cases linked to Hefazat violence last year in Brahmanbaria has won Union Parishad (UP) chairman election from behind the bars. 

According to the election results, Monirul Islam got 3,961 votes while his nearest rival Abdus Salam bagged 2,472 votes in Talshahor Purbo UP polls.

Monirul is accused in 14 cases linked to March last year's Hefazat-e-Islam violence in Brahmanbaria. He has already secured bail in 13 of these cases.

Md Hossain Mia, who was in-charge of Monirul's election campaign, said that Monirul has been kept in jail on false charges. "In his absence, his relatives and well-wishers have continued the campaign for him," he said.