Two people were shot during a clash between rival groups in Charlapang village of Nabinagar upazila in Brahmanbaria on Saturday night, following a dispute reportedly linked to a village road project, tractor operations and local influence.
The injured have been identified as Ful Mia, 60, son of the late Sundar Ali, and Umme Hani, 22, wife of Suman Mia. Both are residents of Charlapang village. They sustained gunshot wounds to their right hands and were taken to Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex before being referred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Their condition was described as critical.
According to police and local residents, tensions in the village had been developing over a road construction project. Ahid Mia, a resident of Charlapang, reportedly objected to the construction work, leading to a dispute between him and other villagers. Although the road was subsequently completed, the disagreement did not fully subside.
The situation reportedly became more complicated after Muslim Mia, another resident of the village, purchased a tractor to provide paid ploughing services to local farmers. Residents said the move raised concerns over existing tractor-related business and local influence. Ahid Mia and his brother Ubaydul Mia were reportedly angered by the development.
Police said the dispute escalated on Saturday night when Ahid Mia allegedly brought a group of armed men from Mirzarchar village in Raipura upazila of neighbouring Narsingdi district to Charlapang. An altercation then broke out between the two sides and quickly escalated into a physical clash and gunfire.
During the confrontation, Ful Mia and Umme Hani were shot. They were rushed to Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex, where they received initial treatment before being transferred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for specialised care.
Roksana Khatun, an assistant community medical officer at Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex, said the two injured people were brought to the facility on Saturday night with gunshot wounds to their right hands. After receiving initial treatment, they were referred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital.
The incident has heightened concern in the village, where tensions had already been present over the road and disputes surrounding local influence. Police are also examining the allegation that armed outsiders were brought in from Narsingdi in connection with the attack.
Attempts were made to contact Ahid Mia and Muslim Mia by telephone to obtain their accounts of the incident. However, both phones were found switched off, preventing their comments from being obtained.
Nabinagar police station Officer-in-Charge Morshedul Alam Chowdhury said the two sides had been involved in an ongoing dispute over local dominance and a village unpaved road. He said the allegation concerning the involvement of hired men was being investigated.
Police have launched efforts to identify and detain those involved in the clash. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances that led to the confrontation, including the alleged involvement of people from outside the village.
