Rupganj flies into fury

Our Correspondent, Narayanganj:

Thousands of villagers fought pitched battles with law enforcers on Saturday over “ land grabbing” for an army housing scheme in Rupganj of Narayanganj.

At least 50 people were injured, 15 of them bullet-hit.

The clashes brock out when law enforcers opened fire on protester laying siege to a makeshift army camp at Tanmushury.

The demonstrators torched two vehicles and the Tanmushury camp.

The bullet- hit wounded  were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the rest to different private hospitals and clinics in Dhaka and Narayanganj.

Locals said the army has been trying for the last six months to buy 6000 big has of land under 24 moujas in Rupganj.

They alleged they were not allowed to sell land to anyone other than the army. Besides , The army forced them to sell land for only Tk15 lakh a bigha when the current price is taka 40 lakh, added the villagers.

In a press release, the inter Services Public Relations said local vested  interests have been obstructing the army housing scheme and are responsible for the turmoil.

It claimed a group of unruly people attacked the army men and ransacked the project office.