1 killed, 3 injured during clashes between rival groups over land dispute in Cox's Bazar

At least one person was killed and three others injured with gunshot wounds during clashes between two rival groups over land dispute in Cox's Bazar's Eidgaon upazila last night (14 March). 

"The attack and counter-attack happened at Fasiakhali area under the upazila's Islamabad union around 10pm," said Md Mashiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Eidgaon Police Station.

The deceased has been identified as Habibul Huda Chowdhury, 67, son of late Shamsul Huda Chowdhury from the area, while the injured are Habibul's sister Kohinur Siddiqua, daughter Shabnam Topura and sister-in-law Khatiza Begum.

Quoting the family members of the deceased and the locals, OC Mashiur said, "There was a long-standing dispute between the chairman of Islamabad union parishad Abdur Razzaque, also a Jubo League leader, and Habibul's family over ownership of a land, which had resulted into several clashes between the two sides in the past."

"A clash erupted between the two sides yesterday noon, injuring several people. At night, a group of 15-20 people attacked the house of Habibul and his relatives, resulting in another clash. The houses were vandalised, and four were injured after gunshots were fired," Mashiur said.

Mashiur said the injured were taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, where the on-duty doctors declared Habibur dead on arrival.

Habibul's son, Sajidul Huda Sadid, said, "The dispute over land between the two families had been going on since much before 5 August. Razzaque had been harassing my family members and relatives politically over the matter. He had been harassing us in many ways using political influence, including accusing us in false cases."

"On Friday, Razzaque's family members attacked us beside the local mosque after the Jumma prayer, injuring two including my uncle. Before leaving the spot, they warned of attacking us again," he added.

"At night, a group of 30-40 armed people led by Razzaque attacked our house and our relatives' houses all of a sudden, leading to the death of my father and injury of my mother, sister, brother and two others by gunshots fired by the attackers," Sadid said.

He claimed the police did not take any steps to ensure their safety even after being informed of the risk of attack.

Denying the complaint, OC Mashiur said a team of police visited the spot right after hearing about the attack. But the attackers fled the scene before their arrival.

"Members of the army and Rapid Action Batallion (RAB) have also visited the area. Police are conducting drives to nab the attackers. The body of the deceased has been kept at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy," Mashiur added.