1 killed in drug-related arbitration clash

A violent clash during village arbitration over a drug-related dispute in Shahjahanpur Union of Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila left one man dead and at least 10 others injured.

The deceased, Ibrahim (35), was the son of Md. Shawkot Ali of Durlovpur village under Ward No. 9 of Shahjahanpur Union. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Durlovpur area.

According to police and local sources, tensions had been escalating for several days between two groups following an incident involving the reporting of alleged drug smugglers to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

In an effort to resolve the dispute, local elders and community leaders arranged a village arbitration on Wednesday afternoon.

However, an argument broke out between the rival groups during the proceedings. The dispute quickly escalated into a violent clash, with members of both sides attacking each other with locally made weapons.

Ibrahim sustained critical injuries during the clash. He was rushed to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital, where the on-duty physician declared him dead.

Hospital sources said at least 10 people from both groups were injured in the incident, several of them seriously. The injured are receiving treatment at Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital and other local healthcare facilities.

On receiving information about the clash, police from Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.