HABIGANJ: Police fired scores of bullets and teargas shells to quell a fierce fight among the inhabitants of 20 villages at Shayestaganj in Sadar upazila Saturday, leaving over 200 people wounded in the triangular clash.

Additional Police Super Zillur Rahman, Assistant Police Super Sugyan Chakma, OC of Shayestaganj Thana MA Basit, Panel Mayor of the Shayestaganj municipality Saidur Rahman and eight other cops were injured in a mob attack during the raging battles, officials and locals said.

Traffic on the busy Dhaka-Sylhet Highway halted for four hours amid the pre-eid rush after the feuding groups vandalized about 20 shops at Daudnagar bazar of Shayestaganj pourashava, police vehicles and a motorcycle of a local correspondent of a private TV channel.

Police fired some 15,000 rubber bullets and teargas shells to come to grips with the situation, the sources said.

Witnesses said the clash erupted between the inhabitants of Nishapot, Talugarai, Jaki Jangal, Kajirgow and over 16 other villages at Deundi crossing at about 10am as a sequel to previous conflict, leaving over 150 injured.

On information, police reserves, led by the Additional Police Supper and the Assistant Police Supper, and RAB members of Srimangal camp rushed. They tried to pacify the situation firing teargas shells and rubber bullets, leaving 20 injured by bullets.

The police officials and members were injured in mob attack while trying to calm down the fighting groups.
 
Bullet-hit Sadar Upazila Sramik League convenor Salek Mia, 35, Aiken Munda, 35, Kabir Mia, Godai Mia, Ilias Mia and other 15 others were admitted to hospital.

Police Supper of Habiganj Mohammad Ali told banglanews24.com.bd, “The situation is under control and police patrol was strengthened in the area.”  

The injured were sent to Habiganj Sadar Hospital and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

BDST: 1702 HRS, SEP 04, 2010.