25 hurt as villagers clash in Habiganj

At least 25 people have been injured after two groups of villagers—wielding leisters—clashed over the election of a “ponchayet sardar”, or village council leader, in Habiganj.

The clash broke out in Noagaon village in Baniachong upazila on Tuesday around noon.

Of the injured, two persons have been taken to a hospital in Sylhet, and seven others to Habiganj Sadar Hospital, in poor condition.

According to local sources, Komol Uddin Sheikh, the incumbent member of Noagaon village, had been engaged in a longstanding dispute with Alamin Mia of the same village over nominating the leader of the “gram ponchayet”, or, village council. 

Following the prolonged conflict, supporters of Komol and Alamin, on Tuesday around noon, clashed for an hour using locally-made weapons such as leisters, leaving 25 injured. 

Baniachong Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rashed Mobarak said, acting on tip-off, police rushed to the site and contained the situation. Additional police forces have also been deployed to the area.