Jamiul Islam Turan, Shantiganj (Sunamganj)::
A two-hour-long clash took place between Astma and Kamrupdalong villages, a cattle feed center in Joykals Union of Shantiganj Upazila. At least 40 people from both sides were injured in the clash. The clash took place between 7:30 am and 9:30 am on Sunday in the western bank north of Astma village and east of Kamrupdalong Madrasa. Two people from Astma village who were seriously injured in the incident have been sent to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet. Three people from Kamrupdalong village who were seriously injured have been sent to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital. The other injured have been treated at Shantiganj Upazila Health Complex and Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.
The injured from Astma village are Akhter Hossain (30), Dulal Mia (20), Jewel Mia (30), Shamsuzzaman (28), Nasir Ali (50), Abdul Jalil (30), Khairul Amin (26), Emran Hossain (28), Sadiq Mia (45), Nuruzzaman (35) and Sourav Hossain (26). It is also reported that 10/15 more people from this village have been injured. However, their names and identities were not immediately known. Akhter Hossain and Dulal Mia were seriously injured and have been sent to MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet. Meanwhile, the injured from Kamrupdalong village are Batir Ali (56), Sundar Ali (70), Sujan Mia (35), Kalai Mia (27), Matiur Rahman (32), Shawkat Ali (27), Nabi Hossain (22) and Shafi Ahmed (25). The names of 7/8 more injured people from their side were not immediately known. The seriously injured Batir Ali, Sundar Ali and Sujan Mia have been admitted to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.
Talking to locals, it was learned that on Saturday afternoon, the cows of farmer Bajlu Mia of Alga Bari (separate house) of Astma village ate the paddy of farmer Suruj Mia of Kamrupdlang village. An argument and fight broke out between the two farmers on the land over this issue. Later, tension spread between the two villages and a clash broke out on Sunday morning.
On behalf of Astma village, Angur Mia claimed that cows are innocent animals. No one tells cows to go to someone's land and eat paddy. The landowner, farmer Suruj Mia of Kamrupdalong village, beat up Bajlu Mia and his family members over the cow eating paddy. This spread tension in our village. In the evening, several people including Nurul Islam Bhai and Iqbal Hossain Bhai came on behalf of Kamrupdalong village to end the incident through arbitration. We assured them that it would be resolved by talking to the villagers. But on Sunday morning, when tension flared up again, the situation went beyond our control.
Nurul Islam, a resident of Kamrupdalong village, said, "There was a scuffle on Saturday over the cows eating rice. We wanted to end the matter through village arbitration. But the Asthma villagers did not accept the trial and in the morning, they announced on the microphone and attacked our village with indigenous weapons. After that, nothing was under control."
Upon receiving information about the incident, the police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
Shantiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Akram Ali said, "We sent police to the scene as soon as we received the news of the clash. The police went and brought the situation under control. There have been no detentions or arrests in this incident. If any party files a case, action will be taken accordingly."
