100 injured in Habiganj clash

Over 100 people, including 13 policemen, were injured in a fierce clash between rival villagers in Shayestaganj thana of Sadar upazila yesterday.
Police said residents of 12 villages equipped with homemade lethal weapons clashed in a sequel to an altercation between a biscuit company agent and transport workers over loading of passengers at Shankhola on August 29.
Residents of 12 villages divided into two groups attacked each other during the three-hour clash from 10:00am.
Residents of Talugorai, Biramchar, Moholulsunam, Jagannathpur, Shyampur, Borochar and Nijgaon villages sided with the biscuit company agent while residents of Nishapot, Korkorhati, Dhakijangal, Morra and Kazirgaon villages favoured Daksu, a transport workers' organisation.
Police went to spot and fired over 1,500 rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed 100 teargas shells, but failed to bring the situation under control.
Later, riot police and RAB rushed in and quelled the situation.
Thirteen policemen, including Additional Police Super Zillur Rahman, sustained slight injuries during the clash.
The vehicle of Zillur Rahman was also damaged during the clash.
Of the injured, 40 were hit by rubber bullets.
Traffic movement on Dhaka-Sylhet highway remained halted for about three hours due to the clash, causing severe jam on both side of the highway.
The injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital and Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital.