At least four people were killed and over 50 other injured in police firing during fierce a clash between two rival factions of ruling Awami League (AL) centering previous enmity and establishing supremacy over Nilakkhoya Char at Sonakandi village in Raipura upazila of the district on Monday.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Mamun, 22, son of Mangal Miah of village Amirabad, Manik Miah, 45, son of Altu Miah, Mohammad Khokon, 32, son of Arab Ali and Shahjahan, 25, son of Abdus Salam.
Six cops including Officer-in-Charge of Raipura police station Azharul Islam, Sub-Inspector Asaduzzman also received serious wounds. The injured villagers and police were rushed to the Raipura Health Complex.
Besides, over 16 houses were torched and many others looted during the violent clash spreading panic among the villagers there, locals said.
A tense situation is prevailing in the area. Heavy contingent of law enforcers have been deployed there. Police launched massive hunt to net the attackers. Many villagers went into hiding to avert arrest.
However, police said they opened fire in self-defense and they did not know how and in what way four people were killed.
According to local people, as a sequel to the enmity, supporters of both the groups locked into an altercation yesterday morning.
“The clash ensued between two groups of one led by incumbent AL-backed Chairman of Nilakkhoya Union Tajul Islam and former chairman Abdul Haque-over the control of their Union on Monday morning,” a police official said.
Locals said earlier a series of clashes were taken place between the followers of the incumbent chairman Tajul Islam and former chairman Abdul Haque since the UP election.
“Leaders and activists of the two rival groups continued to launch attack on each and other. Panic runs high among all the villagers, as we can’t feel safe and secure even single day,” a villager told The New Nation yesterday evening.
On Monday the followers of two groups equipped with lethal weapons and crude bombs swooped on each other at Nilakkhoya Char adjacent village Sonakandi. At one stage the clash spread to eight other neighbouring villages and continued till afternoon, local said.
Being informed Assistant Commissioner (land) Humayun Kabir and officer-in-charge of Raipura police station Azharul Islam along with a heavy contingent of helmeted police rushed to the spot and fired several rounds of blank shots to bring the situation under control.
Being failed to control the situation, police later fired several rounds of sound grenades and tear shells targeting the troublemakers.
As the police continued their action, the followers of two groups launched attack on the members of law enforcers.
Local said at one stage police started firing targeting the agitators. Manik, Mamun and Khokon died on the spot in police firing.
Shahjahan who received serious wounds during the clash succumbed to his injuries on the way to capital Dhaka.
