One dead in gunfight over fish enclosure control in Chattogram
The incident took place around 3:30am in a fish enclosure near the Bay of Bengal embankment in West Saral under Ward No. 1 of Saral Union.
One person was killed and two others were injured in a clash and exchange of gunfire between two groups over the control of a fish enclosure in Banshkhali Upazila of Chattogram early today (31 July).
The incident took place around 3:30am in a fish enclosure near the Bay of Bengal embankment in West Saral under Ward No. 1 of Saral Union.
The deceased was identified as Mohammad Zillur Rahman, 30, a resident of the area. Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
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Two others who sustained gunshot wounds were admitted to the same hospital. Their identities were not immediately known.
According to locals, the two groups had been locked in a long-running dispute over the ownership, control and profit-sharing of the fish enclosure. The groups gathered at the site late on Friday night, triggering a chase and counter-chase that escalated into a clash and an exchange of gunfire.
Banshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Robiul Haque told The Business Standard that the dispute was not new and had been continuing for a long time. He said no terrorist group was involved and the conflict was between two rival groups.
He added that the remote location made access difficult, requiring officers to reach the scene on foot. Around 70 to 80 police personnel, including senior officers, are now deployed in the area. Zillur's body has been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.
According to police, the dispute involved the Mansur Group and the Kabir Group over the control of fish enclosures and salt fields in Saral Union. Members of both groups reportedly took part in the clash with firearms, sharp weapons and sticks. During the violence, Zillur Rahman was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by the opposing group.
Police later brought the situation under control and collected evidence from the scene. Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
