Two killed, 30 injured as two groups clash in Cox's Bazar

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COX'S BAZAR, Dec 6 (UNB): Two people were reported killed and 30 others, including four women, wounded in a fierce gunfight between two rival groups in the Kalarmarfora area of Moheskhali island Thursday. Locals said the clash erupted between the supporters of Awami League-backed Syed Noor Bahini and BNP-backed Ziaur Rahman Bahini at about 10:00 am when the latter started damaging property, including betel-leaf garden, of their rivals.
"The supporters of Noor then tried to resist their oppo nents from destroying their property-and in the fighting that ensued, the two groups traded more than 100 gunshots," locals said in a spot account of the clash.
The gunfight continued until 2:00pm in the remote area, around 40 kilometres away from the Moheskhali police station.Cox's Bazar Police Super Engineer Banoj Kumar Majumder confirmed the death of Abdul Gafur (22), son of Abul Kashem of Mohammad Shah Ghona village in the island upazila.
Villagers, however, claimed that another person named Osman Gani (20), son of Moktar Ahmed of Nayapara village, succumbed to his injuries on way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). However, police could not confirm the death of Osman.
On information, Moheskhali police rushed to the spot at about 1:30pm, after a long time, and brought the situation under control.
Some of the injured were identified as Nilufer Begum (16), Minara Begum (22), Shamsunnahar (24), Arefa Begum (30), Abul Hossain (30), Noor Mohammad (26), Abdul Rahim (25) and Badsha Miah (30).The injured people were taken to CMCH, Dulahazra Christian Memorial Hospital and Chokoria Hospital for treatment.
SP Banoj Kumar Majumder said over 50 policemen, led by Moheskhali officer-in-charge (OC), were deployed in the area to stave off further flare-up.
At least 10 people have been killed in clashes between the two rival groups since 2001 when feuds started off after the 2001 national elections.