5 killed in clashes over land disputes
At least four people were killed in separate clashes over land disputes in Myemensingh and Sunamganj yesterday, while another was killed in a clash in Gazipur on Sunday.
In Mymensingh, three people were killed and five injured yesterday morning in an altercation over setting up a poultry farm in Ishwarganj upazila.
The dead were identified as Hashem Uddin, 70, his son Johirul Islam, 25, and his nephew Azibul Islam, 35, all from Kathaldangi village in the upazila.
Quoting the victims’ family members, Shaker Hossain Siddiquee, additional superintendent of police (Gouripur Circle), said Hashem had a dispute with his elder brother Abdur Rashed over setting up a poultry farm near the latter’s house.
The brothers earlier locked in an altercation two months ago and lodged cases against each other over the incident with the local police station, said the ASP.
Locals had scheduled an arbitration over the matter yesterday morning, he added.
During the arbitration around 8:30am, Hashem’s son Johirul and Azibul locked in a scuffle. At one point, the two groups attacked each other with sharp weapons, leaving Johirul dead on the spot and seven others injured, ASP Shaker said.
On information, police rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control and recovered sharp weapons.
Of the injured, four were rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), where doctors declared Hashem and Azibul dead.
Critically injured Mazharul Islam, 20, and Khairul Islam, 18, both sons of Hashem, were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated yesterday noon, said police.
Police sent the bodies of the dead to MMCH morgue for autopsy.
No case was lodged over the incident, as of filing of this report at 9:00pm yesterday.
Police have arrested one person in this connection.
In Sunamganj, Dudu Mia, 50, was killed, and three others were injured, over land dispute between two groups in Chhatak Upazila.
The injured were taken to the local upazila health complex.
Police said Dudu Mia and one Arosh Ali had a dispute over a piece of land for a long time.
When Dudu Mia and his people went to that piece of land and began digging, around 11am Arosh Ali and his men came to stop them, after which a clash ensued.
Seriously injured Dudu Mia was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Chhatak Police Station Aminul Islam said, “After receiving the news of the clash, police brought the situation under control.”
Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, he added.
Meanwhile in Gazipur, Abul Kashem alias Kajal, 35, was killed over land dispute in Barun village in Kapasia upazila on Sunday.
Locals said that Abul Kashem locked into an altercation over land ownership with his brother Rustam Ali and nephew Shakil Ahmed.
At one point, Rustam and Shakil hacked Kashem, alleged Kashem’s father-in-law Shahab Uddin.
Kashem died on the way to hospital, he added.
Officer-in-Charge of Kapasia Police Station Rafiqul Islam said that a case was filed in this connection.
(Our Mymensingh, Moulvibazar and Gazipur correspondents contributed to this report.)