100 hurt as villagers clash over fishing in B'baria

At least 100 people were injured in the clashes at Bodhal village, but none from police action, police claimed.

Fifteen people have been arrested and police deployed in the area.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Police said the clash ensued from a small matter.

Some boys were fishing in the waterbody. They had an altercation, which turned into a brawl.

As the news reached their parents who belonged to rival groups led by Raisuddin and Hamid Mia, their supporters flocked there with lethal weapons to take on each other.

Police said when they rushed there they saw at least 1000 people locked in clashes with lethal weapons.

The clash erupted at about 7 in the morning and lasted about five hours till noon, police said.

They fired 13 blank shots and three tear-gas shells to bring the situation under control.

Many of the injured avoided going to hospital to evade arrest, local people said.

The two groups of villagers have a prolonged rivalry, they said.