Five killed in Noakhali clash over char land

Published : Tuesday, 23 December, 2025 at 6:33 PM Count : 32

At least five people were killed and around 10 others injured in a gunfight between two rival groups over the control of char land at Jaglar Char in Hatiya, an island upazila of Noakhali.

The clash took place early Tuesday (December 23) between the groups led by Shamshuddin and Alauddin.

The deceased have been identified as Shamshuddin alias Kopa Shamshu of Ward No. 1 under Jahajmara Union, his son Mobarak Hossain, Jumma Dakat of Ward No. 2 of the same union, Alauddin Majhi, and Alauddin alias Alauddin Dakat of Ramcharan under Hatiya. The body of Alauddin has been kept at the morgue of the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital.

According to multiple local sources, several hundred landless families currently reside on Jaglar Char. About half of the land is government-owned (khas land), while the rest belongs to private owners or is disputed (boyar property). For a long time, Shamshuddin, allegedly backed by former Hareni Union chairman Mushfiq and local leader Farid Commander (member), had been occupying char land and selling it to landless families at prices ranging from Tk 22,000 to Tk 25,000 per acre. Recently, however, the proceeds from the land sales reportedly stopped being handed over to Mushfiq and Farid, triggering the conflict.

As a result, early Tuesday, Alauddin, along with top criminal Kawya Kamal and Nizam Member, led a group of 20–25 armed men to seize control of the char on behalf of Mushfiq and Farid. Gunfire soon broke out between them and Shamshuddin’s men who were present on the char.

Several people from both sides, including Alauddin, sustained gunshot wounds. Unable to withstand the attack, most of Shamshuddin’s followers fled. At one stage, Shamshuddin shot Alauddin. Later, Alauddin’s associates allegedly shot, hacked, and beat Shamshuddin, his son Mobarak, and their associate Jumma, among others. As a result, five people from Shamshuddin’s side were killed.

Meanwhile, Alauddin was taken to Noakhali General Hospital in the afternoon, where doctors declared him dead.

A local resident, requesting anonymity, claimed that at least six people may have been killed in the incident and no fewer than 10 injured.

Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatiya Police Station, Md Saiful Alam, said the Coast Guard is conducting operations to arrest those involved. He also confirmed the recovery of five bodies, including those of Shamshuddin and Alauddin.

FP/MI