One killed, over 50 hurt in Brahmanbaria clash

A 28-year-old man was killed and around 55 people were injured in a clash between two groups over a long-standing dispute involving pond land in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Nazimuddin, a member of the group led by Abdul Awal.

The clash broke out after Juma prayers near Burishwar Bazar on the Nasirnagar-Sarail-Lakhai regional highway in Burishwar Union.

According to locals, Fazlul Haque of Naya Bari and Abdul Awal of Dialla Bari in Burishwar village have been involved in a long-running dispute over ownership of a pond. Awal’s supporters filed a case over the dispute at the Brahmanbaria District Court last month.

On Friday morning, supporters of Fazlul Haque claimed that they owned part of the land around the pond. After the Juma prayers, they went to the pond, where supporters of Abdul Awal were also present.

An argument soon broke out between the two groups before escalating into a clash involving locally made weapons. Nazimuddin suffered a critical injury after being struck in the head by a spear-like weapon. Relatives took him to Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Around 55 people, including men, women and children, were injured in the clash. Four of the injured, whose conditions were described as critical, were sent to Dhaka for better treatment.

At least 28 injured supporters of Abdul Awal have been identified, including Rahis Mia, Taus Mia and Kalan Mia.

Following the news of Nazimuddin’s death, supporters of Fazlul Haque reportedly fled their homes, making it difficult to determine the names of those injured or involved from that side.

Nasirnagar Police Station Sub-Inspector Jahan said the exact cause of the incident could not yet be confirmed. He said tensions remained high following the death and police were making every effort to bring the situation under control.

Acting Chairman of Burishwar Union Parishad Md Ruhul Amin said the two groups had a longstanding dispute over land and that the clash occurred over the issue on Friday morning.

Nasirnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahinul Islam said one person was killed in the clash stemming from the land dispute. Additional police have been deployed in the area, and the situation is currently under control.

The body has been sent to the morgue of Brahmanbaria General Hospital for an autopsy.