United News of Bangladesh

At least five people were killed and 10 others injured in a fierce clash between two groups over occupying Jaglar Char in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district on Tuesday. Police said the incident occurred around 10:00 am in the char along the border of Wards 7 and 8 of Sukchar union. Three of the deceased have been identified as Samsuddin, his son Mobarak, and Alauddin, 40, son of Mohiuddin. Further details about the victims could not be gathered yet. Locals said several hundred landless families currently live on Jaglar Char, as nearly half of it is owned by the government while the rest is controlled by a private group. For years, an armed group allegedly led by Farid Member, also known as Farid Commander of Hironni union, and former chairman Mushfiq, had been controlling the char and its newly formed land. The group reportedly sold lands on the char to landless people at around Tk 20,000–30,000 per acre. On Tuesday morning, an armed group of 30-40 people, led by Kauya Kamal, Alauddin, and Nizam Member, attempted to seize control of the char. Sensing the move, supporters of Farid and Mushfiq, armed with lethal weapons, attacked their rivals, leaving four dead on the spot and several others injured. Of the injured, Alauddin was rushed to Noakhali General Hospital, where physicians declared him dead. Samsuddin, his son Mobarak, and two others from Farid and Mushfiq’s group were found dead at the scene. Officer-in-charge of Hatiya Police Md Saiful Alam said five people were killed in the clash and it took considerable time to control the situation due to the remote location of the char. Along with Coast Guard and Navy personnel, additional police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further incidents, he added.