1 killed, 30 injured in Brahmanbaria village clash

A man was killed and at least 30 others injured in a three-hour clash between residents of two villages in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria over a financial dispute and long-standing rivalry for local dominance.

The clash broke out between residents of Suryakandi and Dharanti villages under Kalikaccha Union at Kalikaccha Bazar around 7:45pm on Sunday and continued until about 10:45pm.

The deceased was identified as Md Khadim Mia, 55, son of the late Shamsu Mia of Dharanti village.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monjur Kader Bhuiyan of Sarail Police Station said the violence began with an altercation over outstanding payment for fishing gear purchased for catching fish in a wetland.

The argument soon escalated into a violent clash between the two groups.

Khadim Mia sustained critical injuries during the incident and was taken to the Sarail Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty physician and Resident Medical Officer, Dr Md Ali Azam Rakib, declared him dead.

Police and local sources said the dispute involved supporters of Mosharraf, son of local union parishad member Jurul Mia of Suryakandi village, and followers of Khadim Mia of Dharanti village.

Besides the dispute over the unpaid money, the two groups had long been at odds over establishing dominance in the area. The rivalry eventually led both sides to engage in a clash using locally made weapons.

At least 30 people from both sides were injured in the violence, according to local sources.

Police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the clash and brought the situation under control.

"A drive will be launched to identify and arrest those involved in the clash," OC Monjur Kader Bhuiyan said.