Forest guards, khashias clash in Sylhet: 11 hurt

The injured were admitted to Srimangal Uapzila Health Complex. Three of them were later shifted to Moulavibazar General Hospital in critical condition.

Forest officials and Khashias gave conflicting statements about the reason for the clash.

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Forest officials said a group of Khashias swooped on forest guards as they caught some indigenous people for stealing timber trees from the reserve forest. The Khashias also kidnapped guard Abdur Rahim and took him to the Khashia Punji.

The Khashias said they caught Rahim when he was stealing betel leaf from their garden.

Forest employees along with villagers besieged the Khashia Punji to rescue Rahman, resulting in the clash.

Forest guards fired two shots. The Khashias also used sharp weapons during the clash.

The officials also alleged that the Khashias snatched a gun from a guard while the Khashias claimed that their headman's jeep was damaged and several homesteads rampaged during the clash.

The Khashia headman on Saturday filed a case accusing 40 people. Forest officials also filed a case accusing 30 Khashias.

A police team has been deployed in the area.