OC among 30 injured in Sylhet shrine dispute clash

At least 30 people, including a police officer-in-charge (OC), were injured in a clash between two groups over control of a shrine waqf estate mosque and 35-40 shops in the Shilam union of Moghlabazar in Sylhet city.

The clash erupted around 1pm on Friday (August 21) in the Shilam Chowk Bazar area, in front of the Hazrat Shah Taib Chhaylani (Rah.) Jame Masjid and Eidgah, and lasted for about two hours.

Police said a long-standing dispute existed between two groups over the Hazrat Shah Taib Chhaylani (Rah.) Waqf Estate in the Shilam Shekhpara area.

On Friday, when both groups arrived to offer prayers at the mosque, a verbal altercation began outside over the waqf estate and shop quotas, which escalated into physical confrontation and eventually turned into a clash involving brickbats and local weapons. Upon receiving news of the clash, police rushed to the scene. During the attack and counter-attack between the two groups, OC Md Monir Hossain and seven other police officers were injured. Additionally, 25 to 30 people from both sides were injured. The situation was brought under control through the combined efforts of police, local leaders and elders.

Vehicular movement on the Chandipul-Balaganj road was also halted during the clash. Police remain deployed in the area to maintain order.