20 injured in clash over facebook post in Sunamganj

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two parties in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj over a post on social media Facebook.

The incident took place on Sunday night (March 22).

Police said that tension arose between supporters of Monir Mia and Angur Mia of Gazinagar village in the Patharia Bazar area of ​​the upazila over a Facebook status. A mediation meeting was held at around 9pm to resolve the issue, but the situation got out of control.

It is alleged that people from Monir Mia's side attacked Angur Mia's market during the mediation. A mini market was vandalized, two shops were looted and three motorcycles were damaged. Later, Angur Mia's supporters also got involved in a counter-clash. At least 20 people from both sides were injured in the clash. 

Angur Mia's supporter Ziaur Rahman said that they are not sure who or for whom the Facebook post was posted. He claimed that there was already tension in the area over the vandalism of the previous passenger camp. In continuation of this, the Angur Mia market was attacked, vandalized and looted in a planned manner under the guise of a mediation meeting. At least 10 people from their side were injured in this. The seriously injured Ataur Rahman, 29, Jabed, 20, and Yunus, 24, were admitted to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.

Monir Mia alleged that they were incited by posting on Facebook against Patharia village. Then people from Angur Mia attacked them with country-made weapons. In this, their side Mohammad Ali, 45, Lil Mia, 40, and Mahbub Ali, 18, were seriously injured. Mohammad Ali has been admitted to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital and the other two to Dirai Hospital. He also denied the allegation of vandalizing the passenger camp.

After receiving information, the police reached the spot but the clash continued. Later, the army came and brought the situation under control. Later, the army went from Shantiganj Army Camp to bring the situation under control. The army detained seven people from the scene in the early hours of the morning and handed them over to the police.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shantiganj Police Station Md. Aliullah said the seven detainees have been taken into police custody. However, no case had been filed in the incident as of Monday afternoon.