At least 10 individuals were injured in a clash over illegal sand extraction from the Meghna River at border area of Araihazar and Sonargaon upazilas in Narayanganj.
Local sources said that for the past several days, some BNP leaders from Kalapaharia in Araihazar upazila had been operating 10-12 dredgers to extract sand from the river at night. On late Friday night, they had moved towards Changerkandi area in Sonargaon upazila.
In response to this, locals of the area seized one of the sand boats. This led to a confrontation when former student leader Mobarak, and his followers arrived to chase them off, during which a bomb explosion occurred. The clash escalated allegedly with gunshots, leaving ten people injured.
Although local sources reported gunshots, the police have denied this claim.
Araihazar Police Station officer-in-charge Enayet Hossain confirmed the sand-related dispute but insisted no gunfire took place.
Araihazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sajjat Hossain said that there is no authorization for sand extraction in the area and warned that such illegal activities would not be allowed.
Upon receiving the report, a mobile court team, led by Magistrate Shahnaaz, visited the Meghna river area on Saturday but no one involved in the illegal sand extraction was found, added the UNO.
