At least 12 people were hit by bullets when a gang of robbers opened fire on villagers at Lamchar Bazar in the district's Ramganj upazila.
Of the injured, five villagers are stated to be in critical condition. They have been admitted to Noakhali Medical College Hospital.
Quoting witnesses, the police said a gang of 15-20 robbers led by local ringleader Shah Alam suddenly swooped on the villagers and opened fire on them at around 9:30pm on Tuesday, leaving 12 people, including four businessmen, injured.
Locals alleged the police reached the spot one hour after the shooting took place, despite being informed about it immediately.
However, when asked, OC Lokman Hossain of Ramganj police station refused to make any comment over the issue.
He said: “We have rescued 12 bullet-hit people from the spot and admitted them to Ramganj Upazila Health Complex.”
“Of them, five have been shifted to Noakhali Medical college Hospital as their condition deteriorated.”
Additional police have been deployed at the spot, said the OC.
No report of arrest has yet been filed.
