There has been another exchange of fire between two parties over control of the Padma char in Bagha, Rajshahi. This time, a young man named Minarul Islam (35) was shot. The incident took place at around 7:30 am on Monday in the Khanpur-Nichpalashi river ghat area of ​​Gargari union of the upazila.

Three months earlier, another young man named Siddiq Ali, father of Swapan (35), was shot dead by Kakan Bahini men in the Chakrajapur area. His body has not been found to this day.

Local people said that in the wake of these incidents, about two months ago, the DIG of Rajshahi district set up a police camp in the Char area through the efforts of local MP Abu Said Chand, but it has not been inaugurated yet. If it had been, then this incident would not have happened again on Monday.

Minarul, who was shot in this incident, is the son of a Jamaat mandal in the area. He was rescued and taken to Bagha Upazila Health Complex at around 8:25 am. Later, the doctor on duty referred him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Dr. Elina Parvez, a doctor at the emergency department of Bagha Upazila Health Complex, said, “Minarul has a bullet wound on his back. It is believed that there may be a bullet inside his body. For this reason, he has been referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.”

According to local sources and eyewitnesses, while they were riding a speedboard on the river in the morning, members of the Mandal force were chased by members of the Kankan force from Daulatpur, Kushtia. It is alleged that they opened fire while trying to snatch the speedboard. Later, the other party also opened fire in return. At one stage, Minarul was shot in the back. Locals mentioned that the others jumped into the river to defend themselves.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said he heard several gunshots in quick succession in the morning. Another local resident claimed that while returning from fishing, he saw some people advancing forward, firing from two speedboards.

Meanwhile, there are different opinions among the locals about whether Minarul was a member of the Mandal force or not. One source claims that he was with the Mandal force. However, another source says that Minarul was fishing in the river and was shot during a chase and counter-chase between the two sides. Local reports that another person was shot in the incident have been circulating, but the police have not confirmed this.

Bagha Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Suprabhat Mandal said, “It is initially known that Minarul was injured in the gunfire fired by the Kankan force. The shooting occurred when the Mandal force was taking away the speedboard. The matter is being investigated. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is received.”

However, multiple local sources said that there has been a long-standing dispute between various parties in the border areas of Bagha in Rajshahi, Lalpur in Natore, Ishwardi in Pabna and Daulatpur in Kushtia over the occupation of fertile land, khas land and sand dunes in the char areas that emerged in the Padma after the floods. This has led to clashes and killings in the past. A police camp has been set up in the Bagha border area to control the situation, but it is awaiting inauguration.

Regarding the overall situation, Bagha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sirajul Haque said, “We have started an investigation into this incident. A police outpost (camp) will be inaugurated in the Char area very soon.”