Deadly showdown on Hatiya’s Jagla Char leaves 5 dead

Violent clashes erupted on the remote Jagla Char in Hatiya, Noakhali, on Tuesday as a feud between two rival gangs over control of the newly emerged char left five people dead and several injured.

The confrontation pitted the Alauddin Bahini against the Shamsu Bahini, both vying for dominance over the lucrative land. 

Tensions had been brewing for months, with both sides reportedly selling portions of the char verbally, setting the stage for the deadly showdown.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter mayhem. “It was like a battlefield. People were attacking each other with sticks, rods, and sharp weapons. We ran for our lives,” said a terrified villager who witnessed the violence.

Among the fatalities, police confirmed the death of Alauddin Bahini’s leader, Alauddin ,40, son of Mohiuddin from Char Aman Ullah village in Ward 6. 

Four more bodies were recovered from the site, raising fears of further escalation.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Saiful Alam told reporters, “We arrived after receiving the information. Bodies were recovered, and law enforcement, along with the Coast Guard and Navy, has taken positions to prevent further clashes. Operations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.”

The violent episode underscores the lawlessness gripping Hatiya’s remote islands, where land disputes often turn deadly. 

Local residents expressed fear and anger, demanding swift government action. “This is not the first time blood has been shed over this land. Something must be done before more lives are lost,” said one local farmer.

Following the clash, police forces have been deployed in full strength across the char to restore order. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities determined to prevent another outbreak of violence.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the escalating tension and violent power struggles over char lands in Noakhali, highlighting the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and conflict resolution mechanisms.

Iqbal Hossain Majnu/MSU