1 dead, houses vandalised and burnt in clash over Bagerhat power struggle

A long-standing feud has persisted between the Biswas and Sheikh clans in Chinguri village

A man has been killed in a clash between two sides over a power struggle in Bagerhat’s Chitalmari. At least 12 houses have been attacked, vandalised, and burnt in the incident.

The incident occurred in Chinguri village in Kalatala Union, according to Md Nazrul Islam, chief (OC) of Chitalmari Police Station.

The deceased has been identified as Rajeeb Sheikh, 28, a local resident.

OC Nazrul said on Friday that there has been a long-standing feud between the Biswas and Sheikh clans in Chinguri village over a power struggle in the area. The two sides clashed with makeshift weapons and sticks on Thursday evening.

One side carried out an unprovoked attack on the houses of the other, vandalising and torching them. Rajeeb, part of the Sheikh clan, died in the violence. At least 12 houses, belonging to people on both sides, were attacked.

When the incident was reported, police went to the scene and brought the fire under control.

The deceased’s body has been recovered and sent to the Bagerhat 250-Bed District Hospital’s morgue for a post-mortem.

The OC said that police have arrested one person over their alleged involvement in the incident.

Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area and the situation is now calm, he said.