Man killed in Nikli over illegal sand extraction

An elderly man was killed in a clash between two rival groups over illegal sand extraction from Ghorautra River in Nikli haor upazila of Kishoreganj.

Three others, including a former UP member, were injured in the incident. The incident took place in the Chhatirchar area of Nikli upazila on Saturday night.

The deceased Kachum Ali (65), a resident in Chhatirchar village of Nikli upazila . Former UP member Ramiz Uddin was among the injured.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nikli Police Station, Md. Mahbubur Rahman said, no external injury marks were found on Kachum Ali’s body.

The body was sent to morgue for autopsy. The injured Ramiz Uddin has two-three scratches on his body. Another person was slightly injured.

Nikli, OC also said that it was initially reported that the incident occurred due to a dispute over illegal sand extraction. Both parties involved in the incident are associated with BNP politics. Legal action will be taken if a case is filed based on the allegations.

“Former Chhatirchar Union BNP president Haider Ali Kanchan’s son Soni, Momraj, Jhuman, Khokon, Masud and a few others tried to extract sand from the Ghorautra River using a dredger and a steel-body boat,” he said.

Tension arose between the two sides when local people prevented them.
It is alleged that a group of 10 to 12 people attacked Kachum Ali, Ramiz Uddin and the people with them in the market area around 12:30 am. Kachum Ali died on the spot. Ramiz Uddin and two others were injured.

Nikli Upazila BNP President Advocate Badrul Momen Mithu said, illegal sand mining has been going on in the area for a long time. Both parties involved in this incident are BNP workers.

In addition to taking legal action against the culprits through a proper investigation of the incident, organisational action will also be taken by the party.