Two school students died and another two youths sustained injuries in Noakhali Sadar Upazila on Wednesday night after they fell from a pick-up van during campaign for a UP chairman candidate, witnesses said.
The deceased were identified as Meheraz Uddin, 12, a student of class six in Thekarhat Hazi Ahmmod Ulla High School and Md Samrat,11, a student of class five from Udoy Sadhurhat Ikra Pre-Cadet Academy.
Injured Md Rasel, 20, and Md Jaynal, 21, were being treated at Noakhali General Hospital.
The incident occurred around 7:30 pm Wednesday during the election campaign of Awami League nominated Charmotua UP chairman candidate Kamal Uddin Bablu at Monarkhil village.
According to locals, some 8-10 local school students joined the campaign on a pick-up van.
As the vehicle reached in front of a Mazar at Monarkhil village the side door of the van suddenly opened and some of the students fell down.
Meheraz died on the spot crushed by the van while Samrat succumbed to his injuries around 2 am on the way to Dhaka Hospital, said Syed Mohiuddin Ahmed Fazle Azim, Resident Medical Officer of Noakhali General Hospital.
About the incident, Al-backed candidate Bablu said two children died while attending a Victory Day rally in a pick-up van as the driver made a hard break. “It was not my election campaign where the accident occurred,” he claimed.
Zakir Hossain, Inspector (investigation)of Sudharampur police station said no one has lodged any complaint yet.
Actions will be taken after getting the complaint, he said.
Source: United News of Bangladesh