14 abducted fishermen rescued

Bagerhat: Members of Forest Guard rescued 14 abducted fishermen and seven fishing boats following a gunfight with forest robbers in Gatar Khal area of Katka sanctuary in the Sundarbans on Saturday, reports UNB.

A Forest Guard team was conducting regular boat patrol in Gatar Khal (Cannel) around 1:30pm. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, robbers opened fire on them, forcing the Forest Guard members to retaliate that triggered a gunfight, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Zone Mahmudul Hasan.

However, it was not immediately known that anyone of the robbers was hurt during the gunfight, he added.

Later, the law enforcers rescued six fishermen who were abducted for ransom recently and seized three boats around 5pm, said the DFO.

Following the gunfight, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) and Forest Guard jointly conducted several drives in different places in the forest and rescued eight more fishermen and three boats, said Lt Commander Mahdin, commanding officer of BCG West Zone in Mongla.

Meanwhile, no forest robber was detailed till filing of this report.

15 hurt in AL factional clash

Our correspondent, Jhenidah

At least 15 people were injured and some 25 houses were vandalized during a clash between two rival groups of ruling Awami League over establishing supremacy at Sitarampur village in Sadar upazila on Saturday.

Officer-in-charge of Harishankarpur Police Station Humayun Kabir said that clash occurred between the supporters groups of local AL leader and incumbent Harishankarpur union chairman Abdullah Al Masum and former union chairman Farukuzzaman Farid at Sitarampur village around 8:30am.

Later, the supporters of nearby two villages-Paranpur and Chandrajani also joined in the clash, leaving 15 injured and 25 houses vandalised, he said.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, he added.

Among the injured, five were admitted to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

Police were put on alert in the area to fend-off any further unwanted situation, the OC said.

Woman found dead

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Police recovered the body of a young housewife from village Mohishtara in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh yesterday morning.

The deceased was identified as Happy Akhter, 25, wife of Asad Mia, a day labourer of village Mohishtara.

Ali Ahmed Mollah, officer-in-charge of Muktagacha Police Station said family members found Happy, mother of a two and half years old child, hanging from the ceiling of her house in the morning and informed police.

Happy’s husband Asad was out of the house for work since Friday, said the OC.