Three people, including a father and son, were killed during a clash between two parties over territorial control with a bomb explosion in Kalkini Upazila of Madaripur. At least 10 others were injured in the incident.
The incident occurred early in the morning on Friday, December 27, in the Madhyerchar area of the
Banshgari Union.
The deceased are Akhtar Shikdar (42), the son of Matiur Rahman Shikdar from Madhyerchar, his son Maruf Shikdar (20), and Sirajul Chowkidar (35) from Khunerchar village. Akhtar Shikdar was a member of Ward No. 8 of Banshgari Union and the Senior Vice President of the local Awami League. Sirajul Chowkidar was a farmer and day laborer.
According to the police and local sources, there had been a long-standing feud between the Fakir and Shikdar families over control of the area. After the fall of the government on August 5, Awami League leader Akhtar Shikdar left the area.
On the morning of the incident, Akhtar Shikdar and his supporters were returning to the Madhyerchar area via the New Bazar of Shariatpur when Jalil Fakir's supporters gathered in the area, alerting locals through loudspeakers. Subsequently, Akhtar's group and Jalil's supporters engaged in a violent clash using local weapons. Several hand grenades exploded during the altercation, causing panic. Akhtar Shikdar died on the spot due to the bomb blast. His son, Maruf Shikdar, who was severely injured by the explosion, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. Sirajul Chowkidar, also injured in the bomb blast, died on his way to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
In the clash, at least 10 people from both parties were injured and received treatment at hospitals in Barishal's Muladi and Shariatpur's Damudya Upazila, as well as private hospitals. To control the situation, the authorities deployed RAB, police, and military forces in the Banshgarhi area.
The officer-in-charge (OC) of Kalkini Police Station, Mohammad Humayun Kabir stated that three people from one party died in the clash. After the father and son, their supporter, Sirajul Chowkidar, died on the way to Dhaka. Police are conducting raids to arrest the perpetrators. The situation is now under control, and the bodies are being sent to the morgue for autopsies.
