Clash between two groups in Narsingdi leaves schoolboy dead

A schoolboy named Mustakim Mia, aged 14, was killed by gunfire during a clash between two rival groups stemming from establishing dominance and long-standing factional disputes in Raipur upazila, Narsingdi. At least ten people were injured in the incident, including three with gunshot wounds from both sides.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, February 4, in the Saydabad area of Srinagar union. Police, army, and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed immediately after the incident to control the situation.

The deceased, Mustakim Mia, was the son of Saudi expatriate Masud Rana and a seventh-grade student at a local school. Among the injured are Rafiqul Islam, aged 37, Sohan, aged 26, and Rozina Begum, aged 35, from the Saydabad area. The identities of the others could not be immediately ascertained.

Police and local sources said a long-standing factional feud between two groups over establishing dominance in the char area of Saydabad had been ongoing. Previously, at least eight people, including women from both sides, were killed in gunfire in multiple clashes, and incidents of house raids and looting occurred. The groups are reportedly led by Hanif Master and Ershad Mia.

Amidst this feud, followers of Ershad Mia attacked the homes of Hanif Master's supporters with local firearms on Wednesday morning, leading to a clash. During the violence, Mustakim Mia was shot and killed by bullets fired by Masum alias China, the nephew of former UP member Firoz Mia from the Ershad group. He died on the spot.

The victim's mother, Shahana Begum, said her son was standing in the courtyard after coming out of the house when he was shot by Masum alias China, the nephew of Firoz Mia. She claimed they are not involved with any group and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Dr Bimal Chandra Dhar from the emergency department of Raipur Upazila Health Complex said Mustakim was brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound on the left side of his body, which was an exit wound. He was declared dead later.

Raipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mujibur Rahman confirmed the incident, stating that additional police forces are deployed in the area. Operations are underway to identify and arrest those involved, and the exact number of injured is yet to be confirmed.