Two die in clashes over Habiganj mosque committee

Two villagers have been killed and more than a hundred others injured in clashes over the formation of a local mosque committee in Habiganj.

The brawl occurred around 7am on Saturday at Bahubal Upazila’s Mokokandi village, said local police station chief Mazharul Haq.

Police used nearly 100 rounds of shotgun bullets and 25 rounds of teargas to quell the fight. Law enforcement personnel have also been deployed to the area in anticipation of further clashes.

The dead are 50-year-old Matin Miah and 45-year-old Kabir Mia, both of whom are village residents.

A conflict had developed over the replacement of the local imam and the formation of the mosque committee, OC Haq told bdnews24.com.

The two sides fought on Friday evening and resumed clashes on Saturday morning.

“Many of the injured were admitted to the Bahubal hospital. Kabir Miah died while undergoing treatment. Matin Miah died as he was being taken to Sylhet,” Haq said.

Some of the wounded have also been taken to Habiganj Sadar Hospital. Fourteen with critical injuries have been admitted to the MG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Locals say a faction has been pushing to replace Imam Farid Akhanjir of Mugakandi Jamme Mosque, while another has supported him. The two sides argued over the matter during Friday prayers. Following the argument, both sides took up sharp weapons and clashed that evening. There were injuries on both sides. The fighting restarted on Saturday.