2 shot dead in Narsingdi clash

Two people were killed and several were injured as two rival groups clashed in Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila early yesterday.

The clash broke out at Nilaksha union between supporters of union parishad member Nazim Uddin and those of his rival Alal Munshi.

Videos circulating on social media showed several people wearing security-style vests and carrying firearms during the confrontation.

The deceased were identified as Anik, 20, of Darigaon Purbapara, and Bulbul, 35, from Raipura. Anik and Bulbul were reportedly supporters of Nazim and Munshi, respectively.

Probir Kumar Gush, inspector (investigation) of Raipura Police Station, said additional police personnel had been deployed in the area.

According to police and local sources, supporters of Munshi and former union parishad member Joba Mia had been away from the area for a long time due to the ongoing conflict.

Early yesterday, they allegedly entered Nilaksha union by speedboat along with armed men and attacked Nazim’s followers.

The two sides engaged in clashes in phases, using firearms and locally made weapons from dawn till around 10:30am.

Anik sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Two others, Raju, 28, and Mostafa, 60, also suffered gunshot wounds, while several others were injured in the incident. Some of the injured were sent to Dhaka for treatment.

The two groups had earlier clashed on December 8 last year, when Kuwait expatriate Mamun Mia, 25, was shot dead and at least 10 others were injured.

Nazim and Munshi could not be reached over phone for comments despite repeated attempts.

Raipura UNO Masud Rana said, “Law enforcers are conducting drives to arrest those involved. Legal steps are underway.”