18 to die for shooting down three 21 years ago

Eighteen men were yesterday sentenced to death, four in absentia, for shooting down three villagers in a clash over a land dispute at Balikhandi-Paragon in Jagannathpur upazila 21 years ago.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahim pronounced the verdict in a crowded court. The age of all the condemned convicts is above 50 years.
Those are to walk gallows are Ahmed Ali, Abdul Haq, Siraj Ali, Zarip Ahmed, Sufi Mia, Amirul Islam, Bazlu Mia, Kamor Ali, Jabbar Ali, Noor Abedin, Rais Ali, Haris Ali, Masandar Ali, Abu Lais, and four in absentia Mohan Mia, Matiur Rahman, Atiqur Rahman and Farid Ahmed.
They were found guilty of firing shots during a clash over the land dispute that left three people dead on the spot on November 13, 1989. The victims were Sudhir Baidya, Rajendra Baidya and Farooq Ahmed of the same village.
Police after investigation into the incident submitted the charge sheet against 26 people. After a long hearing of the case the then district and sessions judge's court acquitted all the accused seven years ago.
The plaintiff had moved the High Court with a revision petition against the verdict.
A division bench had granted the petition and sent the case back to the district and sessions judge's court of Sunamganj.
After hearing of the case again, the court delivered the verdict yesterday afternoon sentencing 18 people to death.