At least five killed in clashes between 'two groups of criminals' in Noakhali's Hatiya

Several others have been wounded while four bodies are still at the scene, police say

At least five people have been killed and several others injured in violent clashes between "two groups of criminals" in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali, according to police.

Hatiya Police chief Saiful Alam said the incident occurred on Tuesday morning at Jaglar Char in Sukhchar Union.

Officer Saiful, who is at the scene, said one of the bodies has been sent to the district town, while the other four are still at the scene.At least five people have been killed and several others injured in violent clashes between "two groups of criminals" in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali, according to police.

Hatiya Police chief Saiful Alam said the incident occurred on Tuesday morning at Jaglar Char in Sukhchar Union.

Officer Saiful, who is at the scene, said one of the bodies has been sent to the district town, while the other four are still at the scene.

The identity of one of the dead has been confirmed as Alauddin, 40, a resident of Char Amanullah village in Sukhchar. Police are trying to identify the other victims.

Citing locals, police said the government has not yet settled the distribution of land in Jaglar Char.

Taking advantage of this, after Aug 5 last year, a gang from the Jahajmara Union sold several plots there.

Subsequently, another group from the Sukhchar Union tried to take possession of the land and sold plots at higher prices.

Tensions escalated as both sides began selling land in Jaglar Char separately.

Amid the dispute, people from the two groups first clashed around 10am. The situation later intensified as both sides engaged each other and opened fire.

The wounded were taken to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, where doctors declared one of them dead.