Land dispute leaves one dead, 30 injured

A man was killed and 30 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups over capture of a disputed land at Bamoi village in Lakhai upazila of Habiganj district yesterday.

The dead was identified as Abu Taher, 50, of the village.

Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque of Lakhai Police Station said there had been a long-standing dispute between Abu Taher and Joynal Abedin of the village over the ownership of a land.

As the villagers belonging to Joynal group went to capture the land at around 3:30pm, Taher and his men equipped with lethal weapons swooped on their rivals, prompting them to retaliate.

Taher and 30 others from both sides were injured during the clash that continued for an hour. Taher sustained stab injuries and died on the spot.

On information, police went to the spot and dispersed the clashing groups. They recovered Taher's body and sent it to Habiganj Sadar Hospital for autopsy. The remaining 30 injured were admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital.

The supporters of Taher and Joynal again tried to attack each other in the evening, but law enforcers dispersed them and brought the situation under control.

None was arrested in connection with the incident as of filing of this report at 5:00pm yesterday.