Two people were shot dead and at least 16 others injured in a violent clash over establishing dominance in Cumilla’s Nangalkot upazila on Friday.
The incident took place around noon at Aliara village under Bakshaganj union in the upazila.
The deceased were identified as Delwar Hossain, a migrant worker who returned home from abroad a month ago, and Saleh Ahmed, a former member of Bakshaganj Union Parishad.
According to eyewitnesses, the two were shot during the clash between rival groups, leading to their deaths on the spot. Others sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The injured were admitted to different hospitals in Cumilla and Feni, with the condition of several reported to be critical.
Locals said tensions between the Abul Khair group and the Sheikh Farid group had been simmering since June last year following disputes over cattle grazing, which had earlier left two women injured in shootings. A case was filed at Nangalkot Police Station in connection with those incidents, and several accused were arrested and sent to jail.
After their release, disputes over local dominance resurfaced, eventually triggering Friday’s deadly clash, sources said.
Following the incident, tension prevailed in Aliara village and nearby areas. Police have been deployed to maintain law and order.
Residents alleged that despite repeated violent incidents over the past year, police failed to recover any illegal firearms, hampering efforts to curb crime in the area.
NSA
