Five injured in clash over turf war in Narsingdi

A turf war between two ruling Awami League factions has left at least five people injured in Narsingdi.

Violence erupted at the Chardighaldi union near the district town in the early hours of Friday, said the local police.

Madhabdi police station OC Md Syeduzzaman told Dhaka Tribune that additional forces have been deployed in the area following the incident.

One of the victims has been sent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a stab wound while two others are undergoing treatment at the state-run hospital in Narsingdi town. The remaining victims were given first aid.

No complaints have been lodged over the clash, said OC Syeduzzaman.

A lingering turf war between the Awami League’s Chardighaldi unit General Secretary Shawkat Ali and Chardighaldi Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abu Mansur erupted into a clash on Friday, said police.

The incident followed a clash on February 17 between the two groups over a land dispute, according to UP Chairman Mansur.

“A clash erupted [on February 17] between my supporters and Shawkat Ali’s followers over a land dispute, when several people were injured and many even had to flee their homes,” he told Dhaka Tribune. 

According to Mansur, the matter was resolved through arbitration, but Ali’s followers attacked one of his supporters late on Thursday, which sparked the clash early morning on Friday.

“Five of our men have been hospitalized,” he said.

Ali, however, dismissed the allegations before adding: “Someone with a hidden agenda caused the incident and spread false news blaming us.”