65 hurt in violent clashes in Jhenidah, Natore

Two groups of villagers equipped with lethal weapons, including billhooks, swoop on each other at Amtala on Jhenidah-Kushtia highway yesterday. Photo shows a member of the police team that reached the spot to bring the situation under control. Photo: Star

At least 65 people were injured in clashes between rival groups of villagers in Jhenidah and Natore districts yesterday.
In Jhenidah, two groups of villagers belonging to Mokimpur and Khajura villages along the border of Jhenidah Sadar and Harinakundu upazilas scuffed over teasing a girl of Mokimpur High School by some people of Khajura village during annual sports of the institution on Wednesday, reports our correspondent.
As a sequel to the incident, people of the two villages equipped with lethal weapons, including billhooks, locked in a clash on Jhenidah-Kushtia highway at Amtala near Mokimpur High School in the morning, leaving at least 15 people from both sides injured.
Movement of vehicles on the road remained halted for two hours from 8:00am due to the clash. Being informed, law enforcers went to the spot, disperse the clashing groups and brought the situation under control.
Of the injured, eight were admitted to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital while the rest to upazila health complex. Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Hasanuzzaman told this correspondent that the Union parishad chairmen of the two upazilas would sit in a meeting soon to settle the issue.
Our Natore correspondent reported that a clash between two groups of villagers of Basila Purbapara and Foizdaripara villages under Natore Sadar upazila clashed yesterday left at least 50 people from both sides injured.
Locals said the two groups quarrelled with each other over taking seats at a waz mehfil held at Basila Purbapara village last month. The clash was a sequel to the incidents, they added.
The rival groups used sharp weapons during the clash that lasted for an hour. On information, police rushed to the area and brought the situation under control.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Natore Sadar Hospital and different private clinics. No case in connection with the clash was filed with the police station concerned as of 5:00pm yesterday.