CHANDPUR, Oct 14, 2021 (BSS) - Four people were killed and several others injured in clash erupted between police and bigots in Hajiganj upazila of the district last night, police and eyewitnesses said.

   "Four people were killed and 23 people were wounded . . . 17 policemen of ours were injured," police's deputy inspector general (DIG) for Chattogram Range Anwar Hossain told BSS.

   According to the official the violence left three dead overnight Wednesday while the fourth person succumbed to his wounds this afternoon.

   Anwar said six policemen were admitted to the Hajiganj Health Complex with serious injuries.  The DIG said the bigots turned violent forcing police to use gunshots as the last resort to bring the situation under control adding that policemen fired 139 bullets and arrested seven people during and following the clash.

   Hajiganj Police Station's officer-in-charge (OC) Harunur Rashid said the four bodies were handed over to their respective families after autopsy and they were identified as Shamim, 19, Mohammad Alamin,18, Yeasin Hossain Hridoy,15, and Bablu,30. 

  "We are preparing to file a case in this connection," the OC added.

  Witnesses and reports said paramilitary BGB troops were patrolling the area alongside elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and armed police as tension prevails in the township. 

   Jatiya Sangsad Whip Abu Sayeed Al-Mahmud Swapan along with police's Chattogram Range DIG and additional DIG Iqbal Hasan visited the scene this evening.

  Meanwhile, talking to BSS Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chandpur Anjana Khan Majlish said the law and order situation was now under control.

  "RAB, BGB have been deployed at all puja mandaps in the district," she said adding ansar, village police and volunteers were also engaged to assist police to maintain order at the mandaps.

  She said a seven-member probe body, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (general), was formed to investigate the incident and the committee was asked to submit its report by seven working days.