Jamiul Islam Turan, Shantiganj representative:
At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two factions in West Birgaon Union of Shantiganj Upazila over a dispute over dominance and a ritual to pray for rain for crops. The clash took place at 9 am on Saturday between the Abdal Mia-Sufi Mia faction and the Nur Mia-Ashvik Mia faction in the Chayhal field in Thakurbhog village of the union.
The injured on the Noor Mia-Ashiq Mia side are Noor Mia, son of the deceased Tachhai Mia of Thakurbhog village, Shihab Mia, son of the deceased Abkul Khan, Arjan Khan, son of the deceased Ramzan Khan, Matlib Mia, son of the deceased Abdul Noor, Shah Jahan Khan, son of the deceased Isbar Khan, Akik Mia, Sajid Mia. The injured on the Abdal Mia-Sufi Mia side are Abdal Mia, son of the deceased Manaf Mia, Jubel Ahmed, son of Sufi Mia, Habibur Rahmans alias Habib Mia, son of the deceased Ashaddar Ali, Mizanur Rahman, Sebul Mia, son of Makhlis Mia, Abul Mia, Dalim Mia, son of Monir Mia, Zamindar Ali, son of Syed Mia, Rekul Khan, son of the deceased Ashad Khan, Fakhru Mia, son of the deceased Arzu Mia, Badsha Mia, son of the deceased Kamir Mia. Five to seven other people were injured, but their identities were not immediately known.
According to local sources, the Noor Mia-Ashiq Mia faction organized a Shirni in the village last Friday with the people of the group to maintain their dominance. That evening, the Abdal Mia-Sufi Mia faction announced on the mosque's microphone that they would also organize a Shirni on Saturday morning. Tension started spreading in Thakurbhog village after the microphone announcement. In the morning, when the tension spread further, clashes broke out. About 25 people were injured.
Shantiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Akram Ali said, "We have detained one person for questioning in this incident. The situation is normal at present. The fight took place over a gathering to collect rainwater."
22-02-2025
