At least 30 people, including a child, have been injured in a clash between two rival groups over a dispute stemming from the excavation of a fish farming enclosure in Gopalganj's Kotalipara Upazila, reports bdnews24.com.
The incident occurred at around 09:30am on Friday in Barshapara village, according to Abul Kalam Azad, chief of Kotalipara Police Station.
Local residents Imran Ali and Zahir Gazi, who witnessed the incident, said the clash involved Ibrahim Fakir, a member of Hiron Union Parishad's Ward 6, and Mokshed Ali Fakir, a resident of the same village. The two had a long-standing land dispute.
Tensions escalated after one party began cutting an enclosure for fish farming on the disputed land. On Friday, Mokshed Ali's supporters allegedly assaulted members of Ibrahim Fakir's group, which quickly led to a full-blown confrontation.
As news of the attack spread, both sides clashed using sticks, shields, and improvised weapons. Police arrived at the scene around 10:30am and brought the situation under control.
Among the injured are Jalal Fakir, 45, Mehedi Fakir, 20, Palash Fakir, 35, Alamin Fakir, 30, Robiul Fakir, 25, Riaz Fakir, 22, Miraj Fakir, 45, Sufiyan Fakir, 20, Rafiqul Fakir, 55, Gaus Fakir, 38, Moniruzzaman Fakir, 45, Abbas Ali Fakir, 35, Akash Fakir, 13, and Nasir Fakir, 20.
The injured have been admitted to the Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital and the Kotalipara Upazila Health Complex.
