2 killed in clash over mosque committee

Two villagers were killed and about fifty others injured in a clash over forming a committee to run a local mosque in Habiganj's Bahubal upazila yesterday morning.

Matin Mia, 50, and Abdul Kabir, 50, died of injuries on the scene as two groups of villagers attacked each other with sharp weapons and sticks at Mukkandi village about 7:00am, police said.

The groups quarreled on Friday following Juma prayer over appointing the Imam of a mosque and forming the management committee, locals said.

Yesterday's clash could be a consequence of that quarrel, Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bahubal Police Station, told The Daily Star, adding that they are trying to arrest the culprits.

Raselur Rahman, assistant superintendent (south) of Habiganj police, said they fired about 100 shots and 25 tear gas canisters to control the situation.

Additional police forces are deployed as the village remains tense.

Most of the injured were taken to Bahubal Upazila Health Complex and Habiganj Sadar Hospital, Abdul Hai, chairman of Bahubal upazila, said, adding that he tried to settle down the dispute in vain on Friday.