At least 120 people have been injured in a violent clash between residents of two villages over control of an old cemetery in Rangchhati union, Kalmakanda upazila, Netrokona district. The two-hour clash on Friday morning also saw more than 50 homes and shops vandalized and looted.
Local and police sources said the dispute centers on an 18-katha (roughly 1.4-acre) cemetery between Amgara and Pulia-Paneswar Para villages. Residents of Amgara had attempted to build small shops along the roadside portion of the cemetery, which Paneswar Para residents opposed, arguing the land is waqf (endowed) property that must remain exclusively a burial ground.
An arbitration session held about 15 days earlier at the local union council had failed to resolve the dispute. On Friday morning, tensions escalated over the hanging of banners at the cemetery, leading to a full-scale clash between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Eyewitnesses and victims from Paneswar Para alleged that hundreds of people from Amgara and Nollapara villages, armed with local weapons, launched a surprise attack, led by local Jubo League leaders. More than 50 homes and shops were damaged, and attackers looted goods worth an estimated Tk 20 lakh (about $16,600), they alleged.
Of the 120 injured, at least 54 were from the Amgara, Nollapara and Hasnagaon side. Six critically injured victims were transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital; the rest are being treated at Kalmakanda Upazila Health Complex.
Abdul Wahab and Hossain Mia of Paneswar Para said the cemetery has been maintained by their forefathers for 80 to 90 years. They said they recently spent Tk 3.5 lakh on earthwork, and a local lawmaker allocated Tk 119,000 for boundary walls and pillars.
Kamal Pasha of Amgara denied the allegations against his side, saying the clash originated from the cemetery dispute itself. He said 54 people from his side were injured, with six transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He noted an earlier arbitration session had been held, after which Paneswar Para residents had threatened to prevent others from using the cemetery.
Rangchhati union council chairman Babul Pathan called the incident deeply unfortunate and said the council will oversee the cemetery until a resolution is reached. Both sides have been instructed to remain calm.
Kalmakanda police station officer-in-charge Mostafizur Rahman said police quickly brought the situation under control. “The area is tense but fully under police control. Legal action will be taken once written complaints are received,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report