50 hurt as villagers clash in Sylhet

At least 50 people, including 5 policemen and a local journalist, were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over a trifling matter in Dakkhin Surma upazila on Sunday night.
Witnesses said Bappi, 17, son of Siraj Mia of Kodomtoli village hit Zahed, 18, son of Mokles Mia, of Mominkhola village with his bicycle at 6:30pm near local Anis Complex triggering a scuffle between them.
As the news spread, people of both the villages equipped with lethal weapons and brickbats attacked each other. On information, police rushed to the spot but failed to bring the situation under control.
During the two-hour long clash, 50 people, including a local newsman and five policemen, were injured and 10 shops and a private car vandalised.
Riot police rushed to the spot, fired some blank shots and charged batons on the feuding groups.
Later, Dakkhin Surma upazila chairman Moulana Lokman Ahmed, Kuchai union parishad chairman Abul Kalam and former Boraikandi union parishad chaiman Haji Rois Ali went to the spot to bring the situation under control.
Riot police and Rapid Action Battalion personnel have been deployed in the area to avert any further clash.
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmad Kamran and high police officials visited the spot.