3 die in clash over Kurigram land dispute

Three people have been killed and six others critically injured in a clash stemming from a land feud in Kurigram’s Nageswari.

The two sides clashed over 18 decimals of land in Chilakhana village in Sontaspur Union around 10:30am on Sunday, said Nageswari Police Station chief (OC) Rezaul Karim Reza.

The dead have been identified as Ershadul Haque, 42, Altaf Hossain, 55, and Kulsum Begum, 50.

Those critically injured are Shafiqul Islam, 25, son of Panir Uddin, Marjina Begum, 42, Azizar Rahman, 40, Parul Begum, 32, Mofazzal Hossain, 24, and Ershadul's wife Manjuara Begum, 35, from the same village.

OC Reza said that four cousins bought together 18 decimals of land in Chilakhana village a year ago. They were Bashir Uddin's sons Manik Ullah and Nur Mohammad, and Jamal Uddin's sons Altaf Hossain and Azizar Rahman.

Later, Manik and Nur Mohammad took hold of the land and a long-standing dispute began. Multiple arbitration efforts were made locally but there was no solution.

Finally, on Sunday morning, Altaf and Azizar went to get hold of the disputed land with a few other people in tow. When Manik and Nur Mohammad intervened them, a clash erupted between them.

Ershadul Haque and Kulsum Begum died on the spot. Altaf Hossain died on the way to the hospital.

Four among the injured were sent to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital in a critical state. Others were admitted to the Kurigram Sadar Hospital.

“Our team went and started to work at the scene. Currently the situation is under the control of police. As of now, none of the parties have come to file a case,” said Reza.