Clash over Narail mosque committee formation leaves 10 injured

No complaint has come in from either side yet, police say, but they stand ready to act if one does

A “peace meeting” called to resolve a dispute over a mosque committee formation in Narail has ended in a brawl, leaving 10 people injured.

The clash broke out around 8am on Friday in Singa village of Habokhali Union, Sadar Police chief Ajoy Kumar Kundu said.

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital.

Police said a long-running dispute between villagers Matiar Rahman and Alam Biswas over the committee of the Bonikpara mosque and graveyard had prompted locals to call the meeting outside the mosque in the morning.

Negotiations broke down, sending the two sides into open confrontation.

Matiar, who led one faction, said the other side struck first. "When discussions began in the morning, Alam's people attacked us.

“Our men Mintu, 50, Liton, 60, Nasirul, 40, and Moshiar, 40, were wounded," he added.

Countering the claim, Jinnah Biswas, an injured member from the opposing faction, said: “They were the ones who attacked us.

“Along with me, Israfil, 50, Badsha Biswas, 55, Musa Biswas, 45, Libon Biswas, 48, and Rabbi Biswas, 25, sustained injuries.”

Officer Kundu said police reached the scene and brought the situation under control.

The area is currently calm with police deployed. No complaint has been filed by either side so far, but legal action will be taken if one comes in, he added.