One person was killed and six others injured during a gunfight on the Meghna River in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Monday (July 28), reportedly linked to ongoing conflicts over illegal sand mining, territorial dominance, and extortion.
The deceased has been identified as Mannan (45), a locally known top-tier criminal from Jaistitola village in Imampur Union. According to family members, he was killed by members of the rival Lalu-Jewel group.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m. near Boro Kalipura village along the Meghna River. The injured include Hridoy Bagh (28), Atikur (30), Hasib (34), Shyamal (30), Noyon (25), and Hamim (32).
Eyewitnesses reported seeing an armed speedboat patrolling the river with seven young men earlier in the morning. A while later, Mannan and his associates took to the river in a motorized trawler.
They were suddenly chased by another engine-run trawler carrying about 15–16 armed men wearing helmets and jackets. Witnesses heard 20 to 25 rounds of gunfire shortly afterward.
Mannan’s bullet-riddled body was later found on the trawler. The injured reportedly jumped into the river to escape. The attackers fled toward Chandpur after the shooting, using the speedboat and trawler.
An eyewitness, Sohag, said, “We heard multiple gunshots but couldn’t identify who was shooting. Later, we heard someone was killed, and the body was left on the trawler. Even after two hours, no one dared to approach the spot out of fear.”
Mannan’s wife, Sumi Begum, alleged that he had recently told her that Lalu and Jewel from Hoglakandi village had hired professional gunmen to kill him. “I’m certain they, along with notorious members of the Noyon-Piyas gang from Guagachhia, were involved. I will file a case with the police,” she said.
Sub-inspector Jahangir Alam of the Gazaria River Police Outpost confirmed, “There are two bullet wounds on Mannan’s chest, possibly fired from a Chinese rifle. We recovered one shell casing from the scene, and senior officers have been informed.”
Gazaria Police Station OC Anwar Alam Azad said Mannan was a notorious local criminal, known as “Shooter Mannan” for his expertise in firearms. He had multiple cases filed against him across various police stations.
