Sand lifting from river triggers clash: 20 hurt
At least 20 people, including two policeman, were injured in a tripartite clash over lifting sand from a river at Depashai village under Dhamrai upazila in Dhaka yesterday.
The injured, including constable Kalam of Dhamrai police station, were admitted to different local hospitals.
Witnesses said the clash ensued at about 10:00am when the villagers protested sand lifting from the river Bangshi near the village.
Officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhamrai police station Alamgir Hossain said the villagers attacked the policemen when they went to the spot. Trainee sub inspector Paltu and constable Kalam were injured in the attack. Kalam was taken to Dhamrai upazila health complex with critical head injury, the OC said.
The villagers also damaged a police pick-up van and set on fire a private car and two motor bikes, the OC said.
However, the villagers claimed that they attacked policeman as they (police) sided with people engaged in sand lifting. Police opened fired on the villagers and two people received bullet injury, they said.
One of the bullet hit villagers was identified as Rafik, 25, son of Munnaf and identity of the other victim could not be known immediately.
The situation came under control at around 3:30pm when elite force Rab (Rapid Action Battalion) and additional police force were deployed on the spot.
Locals alleged that their village has become vulnerable to disaster any time due to erosion caused by the sand lifting.
Abu Taher, proprietor of Taha Traders Limited said he got lease of the Balumahal sand quarry five months ago. We are extracting sand from that land, he said.
This correspondent tried to talk with Dhamrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kadeza Naznin over cell phone several times for her comment but there was no response.
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