Fisherman killed, 16 injured during clash with police in Lakshmipur

A fisherman was killed when police opened fire during a clash with fishermen in the Meghna River at Sadar upazila of Lakshmipur early today.

The clash happened in Maju Chowdhury Hat area, said Kamruzzaman, superintendent (Chandpur-Lakshmipur region) of river police, reports our Noakhali correspondent.

The deceased was identified as Amir Hossain of Bandarpur Prokash-Kutubpur in Bhola Sadar upazila, said the SP.

Besides, 16 people, including four policemen, were injured in the clash, said the police official.

After acting on a tip-off about some fishermen catching jatka in the Meghna River defying government ban, a team of river police conducted a drive, said Kamruzzaman.

Sensing the police's presence, a group of fishermen, who were catching jatka in the river, attacked the law enforcers with local weapons. Later, police had to fire three rounds of bullets in self-defence, he added.

"We are not sure how the fisherman died. This can be confirmed once the autopsy report is conducted," the police official said.

Police detained 10 fishermen from the spot, he added.

Talking to this correspondent, the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, Md Anwar Hossain, said around 1 am, six policemen and 10 fishermen were brought to the emergency department of the hospital.

Among them, two policemen and fisherman Amir Hossain were admitted to the hospital while the rest were given first aid, he said.

When Amir Hossain's condition deteriorated in the early hours of today, he was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. He was bleeding from his head and ears. However, the doctor did not say what caused the bleeding.

Talking to The Daily Star, Inspector Bachchu Miah, also in-charge of DMCH Police Outpost, said around 6:00 am Amir was brought in and he died around 8:30 am while undergoing treatment.

Sources at the DMCH morgue said Amir was shot in the head and back with a shotgun.