One killed, 19 hurt as villagers clash

A man was killed and 19 others were injured as two groups of villagers locked in a clash at Boro Bahirdia village in Ramkantapur union of Shaltha upazila under the district yesterday morning.

The deceased was Rasel Sheikh, 24, son of Khalek Sheikh of Boro Bahirdia village. He was a farmer.

Locals said there was a longstanding conflict between Monjur Mollah, a member of Ramkantopur union parishad (UP), and Lutfor Mollah, a former member of the UP, over establishing supremacy in the area.

Following an altercation on Sunday morning, the two groups involved in a clash with lethal weapons and the hour-long clash left 20 people injured.

Seriously injured Rasel died on the way to Faridpur Medical College Hospital around 9:30am while the others were taken to the hospital and Boalmari Upazila Health Complex.

Informed, police rushed to the spot and fired 11 rounds of rubber bullets and two teargas shells to bring the situation under control, said Md Delowar Hossain, OC of Saltha Police Station.

"Twelve people were detained. Police force has been deployed in the area to stave off further trouble," he added.