3 killed in Madaripur clash

Madaripur, Mar 8 (UNB): Three people were killed and at least seven others injured in a clash between rival groups vying for control of the illegal sand trade in Madaripur Sadar upazila on Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Saiful Sardar, 50, Alil Sardar, 40, and Palash Sardar. All of them hailed from Khoajpur village in the upazila, said Chhatak Chakma, additional superintendent of Madaripur Police (Sadar Circle).

According to locals, there was a long-standing dispute over illegal sand extraction in the Arial Khan River between Md Shahjahan Khan and Saiful at Khoajpur union in the upazila.

Tensions erupted into a deadly clash between their supporters around 12pm on Saturday.

At one stage, the victims were attacked with sharp weapons, leaving Saiful and Alil dead on the spot.

Among the injured, three were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment where Palash Sardar succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment there.

Additional police and army personnel have been deployed to control the situation, said th addl SP.

Two individuals have been detained for questioning, he added.