Rivalry in sand trading: clash leaves 1 dead, 20 injured

A man was killed and at least 20 were injured in sporadic clashes over establishing supremacy and business rivalry between two groups in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj this morning.

The deceased was identified as Somor Ali, 40, a farmer from Noyagaon village in the upazila.

Police and locals said there had been longstanding rivalry between two groups -- one led by Alauddin, another by Sadequr Rahman -- over establishing supremacy following rivalry in sand trading in the upazila. Both of them take contracts from private companies.

Last night, an altercation took place after people loyal to Sadeq intercepted Alauddin's sand-laden truck heading toward a site of a private company for earth filling, they said.

Several persons were injured after the two groups locked in clash later.

As a sequel to the clash, Sadeq's men -- wielding sticks and sharp weapons -- attacked houses of supporters of Alauddin around 10:30am today.

Both groups later locked in clash and chase and counter-chase took place in the morning, leaving at least 20 persons injured, locals said.

The injured were taken to Upazila Health Complex where Somor died in the afternoon, Tabidur Rahman, Inspector (Investigation) of Sonargaon Police Station, said.

Some of the injured were later sent to a hospital in Dhaka. Filing of a case is underway, the police officer told our Narayanganj Correspondent.

Locals said Somor was a relative of Alauddin but deceased's family members said he was not involved in any feud.

Marjina Begum, sister of the deceased, said her brother went to mow grass when people attacked him.

"The attackers also chased us when we attempted to help him," she said.