Fisherman injured in police firing dies

A man, who sustained bullet wounds when police opened fire during a clash with a group of fishermen in the Meghna river in Matlab North upazila on Monday midnight, died at a hospital in the capital yesterday.

Bullet-hit Masud Hossain, 22, a fisherman from Munshiganj's Kalichar, succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the morning.

The clash took place around 12:15am when a team of River Police was conducting a regular drive against jatka netting.

In Charge of Mohonpur River Police Mohammad Hossain, who sustained injuries when the fishermen hurled brick chips targeting the law enforcers, received primary treatment locally.

Mohammad Kamruzzaman, a member of Chandpur River Police, said while patrolling in the Meghna river they chased a group of fishermen, who were catching jatka.

Being chased by the law enforcers, the fishermen threw brick chips on them, prompting the police team to fire shotguns in self-defence, he said, adding that Masud was hit by a bullet in his left thigh.

After the clash, police detained bullet-hit Masud and two other fishermen from the spot.

Later, Masud was taken to Matlab North Upazila Health Complex, from where he was shifted to DMCH as his condition deteriorated. He died at the hospital yesterday.