Clash over land kills one, injures nine in Naogaon

NAOGAON, Oct 16: An elderly farmer was killed and nine people were injured in a clash over a land dispute in Mohadevpur Upazila of the district on Wednesday afternoon, police said. One suspect has been detained.

Anisur Rahman, 65, died while receiving treatment at Mohadevpur Upazila Health Complex after being critically injured in the attack in Ranail Nichpara Village under Khajur Union. Six of the injured were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Locals said the clash stemmed from a long-standing dispute over about 10 bighas of land between Anisur’s family and relatives led by Nazrul Islam. 

The two sides exchanged blows after a group of 20-25 people, allegedly armed with locally made weapons and led by Nazrul, attacked Anisur’s group as they returned from spraying pesticides on the disputed land. Five people from Anisur’s side and four from the opposing side were injured.

Police detained Osman Gani, a resident of Ranail Village, over alleged involvement in the attack. Nazrul reportedly fled the hospital after learning of Anisur’s death.

Officer-in-Charge of Mohadevpur Police Station Omar Faruk said the body had been sent for an autopsy and that preparations were underway to file a case.