At least five people were killed in a gunfight between two groups over control of char land in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Tuesday, police said.
The clash occurred around 10am in the Jaglar Char area of Sukhchar union.
Hatiya Police Station officer-in-charge Md Saiful Alam told TIMES of Bangladesh that one body was taken to Noakhali General Hospital, while four others were recovered from the scene.
Police said the identity of one of the deceased has been confirmed.
He was identified as Alauddin, 40, son of Mahiuddin of Cherang Bari in Char Aman Ullah village under Ward No 6 of Sukhchar union.
Efforts are under way to identify the remaining four victims and others injured in the incident, police added.
Local sources said the land at Jaglar Char has not yet been officially settled by the government. Taking advantage of the situation, a group locally known as the “Kopa Shamsu group” from Jahajmara union allegedly sold several plots of the char land after 5 August.
Another group, known as the “Alauddin group” from Sukhchar union, later attempted to seize control of the same land and sell it at higher prices, fuelling a long-running dispute between the two sides.
The dispute escalated into violence on Tuesday morning, when members of both groups took positions and opened fire.
Several people were shot during the exchange, police said.
The injured were taken to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, where doctors declared Alauddin dead.
The remaining four victims died at the scene, according to police.
Police said they reached the remote char area around 4:30pm due to difficult terrain.
The exact cause of death will be determined after post-mortem examinations.
Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, police said.
