The killing created panic with other candidates in the area announcing their withdrawal from the electoral fray.
The 16-phase Panchayat elections are being held in the state after 11 years on non-party basis.
Police and security forces said she was killed by militants, while some local people said she was involved in a matrimonial dispute with her husband which may have been the reason behind the attack.
Hasina was affiliated with the opposition People’s Democratic Party.
Published 16 April 2011, 18:10 IST