4 killed, 40 hurt in Narsingdi police firing, clash

About a dozen of houses torched

Four people were killed -- three in ‘police firing’ -- and about 40 injured as rival groups clashed over establishing supremacy at Nilokkhya in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi yesterday. The deceased were identified as Mamun Miah, Khokon Miah, Manik Miah, and Shahjahan Miah. According to police and witnesses, the clash took place between the supporters of Awami League-backed chairman of Nilokkhya union Tajul Islam and of former chairman Abdul Haque Sarker around 11am. Both the groups attacked each other with locally made weapons during the clash, which left about 40 people injured including five policemen. The clash then spread to several other villages.
The supporters of Tajul allegedly torched eight to ten houses of the rival group. Informed, forces from Raipura Police Station led by Officer-in-Charge Azharul Islam rushed to the spot and tried to control the situation. At one stage, police opened fire leaving about 10 people received. Police claimed about 40 people, including five law enforcers, were injured during the clash and one person, critically injured by the rival’s onslaught, died on way to hospital.
In critical condition, police rescued 20 injured persons and sent them to Narsingdi sadar hospital. Hospital authorities referred Shahjahan Mia to Dhaka Medical College Hospital but he succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital. When contacted, Altaf Hossain, son of deceased Manik Miah, claimed his father was killed by police firing. Family members of the other deceased also claimed that their relatives were killed by police firing. Asked for response, Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police Hasibul Alam said one person was killed during the clash but he had no information about the deaths of three others. “The police fired blank shots to bring the situation under control. Five policemen including OC Azharul and three sub-inspectors were injured by villagers,” he claimed. Contacted, OC Azharul Islam said he had information about the deaths of the four people. “Except for the one who died during the clash, I have no information on how the others died. I will be able to comment only after autopsies,” he said.

 

4 killed, 40 hurt in Narsingdi police firing, clash

About a dozen of houses torched

Four people were killed -- three in police firing -- and about 40 injured as rival groups clashed over establishing supremacy at Nilokkhya in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi yesterday. The deceased were identified as Mamun Miah, Khokon Miah, Manik Miah, and Shahjahan Miah. According to police and witnesses, the clash took place between the supporters of Awami League-backed chairman of Nilokkhya union Tajul Islam and of former chairman Abdul Haque Sarker around 11am. Both the groups attacked each other with locally made weapons during the clash, which left about 40 people injured including five policemen. The clash then spread to several other villages. The supporters of Tajul allegedly torched eight to ten houses of the rival group. Informed, forces from Raipura Police Station led by Officer-in-Charge Azharul Islam rushed to the spot and tried to control the situation. At one stage, police opened fire leaving about 10 people received. Police claimed about 40 people, including five law enforcers, were injured during the clash and one person, critically injured by the rivals onslaught, died on way to hospital. In critical condition, police rescued 20 injured persons and sent them to Narsingdi sadar hospital. Hospital authorities referred Shahjahan Mia to Dhaka Medical College Hospital but he succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital. When contacted, Altaf Hossain, son of deceased Manik Miah, claimed his father was killed by police firing. Family members of the other deceased also claimed that their relatives were killed by police firing. Asked for response, Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police Hasibul Alam said one person was killed during the clash but he had no information about the deaths of three others. The police fired blank shots to bring the situation under control. Five policemen including OC Azharul and three sub-inspectors were injured by villagers, he claimed. Contacted, OC Azharul Islam said he had information about the deaths of the four people. Except for the one who died during the clash, I have no information on how the others died. I will be able to comment only after autopsies, he said.