500 flee homes fearing fresh attack by rivals
At least 500 people of four villages in Shailakupa upazila, who came under attack by their rival group on October 2, have left the villages, fearing fresh attack.
Villagers and police said Shariful-Khaleq group and Roise- Pulak group clashed on September 18 over establishing their supremacy in Nityanandapur union, leaving at least 30 people from both sides injured.
Shariful-Khaleq group is backed by acting UP chairman and Jubo League Nityanandapur union unit president Mofiz Uddin, while Roise- Pulak group is led by defeated UP chairman candidate and Shailakupa upazila AL unit member Faruk Hossain.
Of the injured, 22 were admitted to Shailakupa Upazila Health Complex and Jhenidah Sadar Hospital on the day. As the condition of injured Iqbal Hossain of Roise- Pulak group deteriorated, doctor of Sadar Hospital referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on October 2.
As the news of his death spread in the union, villagers belonging to Roise- Pulak group went berserk and vandalised over 50 houses of their rivals at Puragati, Dighalgram, Ashurat and Rupdah villages. They also looted cattle and other valuables from the houses.
Following the incident, five cases were filed by the two groups with Sailakupa Police Station. None was arrested in connection with the cases as of yesterday.
Acting UP chairman Mofiz Uddin and defeated chairman candidate Faruk Hossain blamed each other for the October 2 incident.
While visiting the villages on October 19, villagers told this correspondent that the supporters of Shariful-Khaleq group had left their homes, fearing further attack by Roise- Pulak group.
A villager, seeking anonymity, said the two groups clashed several times over trivial matters. Shariful Islam was President of BNP ward No 12 unit and Khalek was a member of BNP Nityanandapur union unit, locals said, adding that both joined AL recently.
Contacted, Police Superintendent (SP) Altaf Hossain said over 50 houses were vandalised at the four villages on October 2. “The situation is now under control and police are patrolling the villages regularly,” the SP said.
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