50+ hurt in clash between local rival groups in Habiganj

At least 50 people were injured in a fierce clash between two rival groups over a longstanding feud in Baniachong upazila of Habiganj on Monday afternoon.

People remained deployed in the area to ward off any further clash.

Quoting locals, police said there had long been a dispute between the groups led by Alauddin Miah and Nurul Huda over various local issues.

The bitter relations deteriorated further when a domestic animal of one group fed on the straw of another group in Uttar Sangor village a few days ago.

Although an initiative was taken to settle the matter, it was delayed due to the busy harvest season in Baishakh.

Centring the issues, supporters from the both groups got locked into the clash this afternoon, leaving at least 50 people injured.

Of them, 18 were taken to Habiganj Sadar Modern Hospital while three with spear wounds were shifted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Some of the injured were identified as Kawser Miah, 25, Shafiqul Islam, 35, Ali Samad, 40, Kudrat Miah, 45, Takdir Miah, 25, Arju Miah, 50, Jasim Miah, 30, Alamin Miah,16, Bahul Miah, 22, Nayon Miah, 12, Monnaf Miah, 38, Kuddus Miah, 24, Jomser Miah, 31, Mizan Miah, 31, Babul Miah, 28, Afzal Miah, 26, Mahfuzul Miah, 28, and Abu Layek, 20.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Baniachong police station Golam Mostafa said that the clash erupted from the prolonged rivalry between the two groups.

The situation is now under control, he said, although no one could be detained in this connection yet.