50 injured as rival land grabbers lock in clash
A faction of Awami League with home-made spears and shields take position at Fultola Bazar of Paikpara union in Madaripur just like a medieval army during their clash with a rival Awami League faction over illegally grabbing a piece of land. Photo: STAR
At least 50 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash between two rival groups of the ruling Awami League over grabbing land of Mora Kumar River at Fultola Bazar under Rajoir upazila of Madaripur district yesterday morning.
Both sides used spears and long sticks and hurled bombs at each other during the clash that continued for three hours.
People of Majhkandi, Srikrishnadi, Uttar Sharistabad and Norer Kanda on the northern side of Fultola Bazar sided with Paikpara union parishad Chairman Shahjahan Mollah while those of Char Kanda, Naya Kanda, Basudevpur and Bairagi Bazar on the southern side of the Bazar joined Munna group.
Police, Rab and riot police rushed to the spot and fired blank shots and tear gas shells to disperse the clashing groups.
As the situation was getting worse, Deputy Commission Shashi Kumar Singha, Police Superintendent Sarder Tamijuddin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Rezaul Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of Rajoir Police Station Md Mashiur Rahman and local Awami League leaders came to the spot and brought the situation under control.
The injured were admitted to Rajoir Heath Complex, different hospitals and clinics. Injured police Sub-Inspector Anwar Hossain and constables Abul Hossain, Kazi Mokshed and Haider Ali Sareja were also admitted to the health complex.
Local sources said yesterday's clash was a sequel to an attack on UP Chairman Shahjahan Mollah by Munna group at Fultola Bazar on Thursday evening. Immediately after incident, supporters of Munna and Shahjahan Mollah locked in a clash that left at least 20 people from both sides injured.
Police fired blank shots, dispersed the clashing groups and brought the situation under control.
Deputy commissioner Shashi Kumar Singha told this correspondent over telephone that the clash ensued over establishing supremacy at Fultola Bazar and its adjoining areas, land related feuds and construction of illegal structures on a leased land.
Local administration will soon demolish the illegal structures on the land, the DC added.
Locals said War injured freedom fighter Noor Mohammad Minshi took lease 2.15 acres of land from the government near the river 11 years ago. Recently, Munna built some structures, encroaching upon the river and on a [portion of the leased land.
Following a complaint against Munna for building structures, grabbing the river land and the leased one, the deputy commissioner issued an order, asking the local administration to take necessary action against the grabber.
UP Chairman Shahjahan came under attack by Munna group on Thursday as he supported Noor Mohammad. Munna's men also ransacked Noor Mohammad's house during Thursday clash.
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