A schoolboy was shot dead during a clash between two groups over illegal sand lifting in Bishwanath, Sylhet
The incident occurred in the upazila’s Chaitan Nagar village at around 3pm on Sunday.
The deceased, Sumel Mia, 18, son of Abdul Manik of Chaitan Nagar village, was a student of 10th grade of local Shahjalal Ghagutia High School.
Locals have protested Sumel’s untimely death and demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in the incident.
Three others family members of the victim were also injured in the clash.
Sumel’s father Abdul Manik, 50, uncle Monir Mia, 45, and cousin Saleh Ahmed, 30, were also injured in the shooting and are now undergoing treatment at the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital.
According to sources, the main accused Saiful Alam is an expat and a local of the same village.
He and 10 to 12 of his men, on Saturday afternoon, forcibly started lifting sand from the agricultural land of Sumel’s uncle to use for the construction of the Chaitannagar-Islampur-Tukerbazar road.
A quarrel broke out as Sumel and his family members tried to stop Saiful.
At one point in the clash, Saiful opened fire with his guns and shot Sumel, his father, uncle, and cousin. Later, they were rushed to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared Sumel dead.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, Bishwanath police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shamim Musa, said: “Senior police officials have visited the spot of the incident. The situation in the area is now normal. Extra force has been deployed to avoid any untoward situation.”
“Four people have been held so far for their involvement in the incident. Efforts are underway to catch Saiful and the other culprits.
“The body of the deceased has been handed over to the family. A case will soon be filed over the incident,” he added.
However, Saiful, when contacted, claimed his innocence and said: “I didn’t open fire or anything and my house is quite far away from the spot of the incident.”
