Man killed, 10 hurt in clash over disputed land

A man was killed at least 10 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups of villagers during handing over possession of a disputed land in Nawabganj upazila yesterday.

The deceased, Liton Mia, 35, son of Atiar Rahman, was a resident of Chawkkarim village in the upazila.

The injured were admitted to Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex, Phulbari Upazila Health Complex and M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital in Dinajpur.

Quoting the villagers, police said around two acres of land had been illegally occupied by Atiar Rahman of Chawkkarim village for the last 18 years.

On July 29, Dinajpur Joint District and Session Judge Court-3 ordered the authorities concerned to hand over the land to its original owner Rafiq Uddin of Bhatka Joypur village.

As per the court order, Shah Alam, a Nazir at Dinajpur court, went to the village yesterday morning to hand over possession of the land to Rafiq.

In the meantime, some hired goons of Atiar, equipped with sharp weapons, attacked Rafiq and his men, leaving 10 people injured.

On information, police went to the spot and fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control that left another man wounded.

Of the injured, Liton succumbed to his injuries on way to a hospital in Dinajpur, Officer in Charge (OC) of Nawabganj Police Station Subrata Sarkar said.

Additional police have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident, the OC said, adding that a tense situation was prevailing at the village.