Sunamganj Haor Dispute Sparks Violent Clash

In Sunamganj Sadar Upazila, a dispute over breaching a haor embankment to protect crops from flooding escalated into a violent confrontation between two village communities, leaving at least 15 people injured on Saturday afternoon. Authorities have since imposed Section 144 in the affected area to restore order.

According to police reports and local sources, the haor in Dakua encompasses agricultural lands belonging to several villages. In Mohanpur Union, the villages of Mohanpur, Sardarpur, and Joynagar are affected, while in Kathair Union, Noagaon and Ulutul are among the impacted areas. Continuous heavy rainfall over the past few days had caused waterlogging in the haor, raising serious concerns among farmers about the safety of their paddy and other crops.

On Friday, residents of Noagaon initiated the cutting of an embankment to release excess water and prevent crop damage. This action was opposed by residents of Mohanpur, triggering rising tensions. To mediate the conflict, the Deputy Commissioner convened a meeting on Saturday morning, bringing representatives of both sides together. The Additional District Magistrate formed a committee to inspect the embankment and promised further measures based on the committee’s recommendations.

Despite the official mediation, residents of Noagaon and neighbouring villages went ahead and breached the embankment. When Mohanpur villagers tried to prevent the action, a clash broke out, resulting in injuries. Local resident Jasim Uddin explained, “Cutting the embankment may save the crops in one section of the haor, but it will damage others’ crops. This disagreement is the root cause of the conflict.”

Sunamganj Sadar Police Sub-Inspector Mohammad Nuruzzaman confirmed, “Police are present at the site, and the situation is now under control. The injured have been taken to nearby medical facilities.”

The following table summarises the key details of the affected villages and the nature of the conflict:

Local authorities have emphasised continued monitoring of water levels in the haor and urged communities to cooperate to prevent further clashes. The incident highlights the challenges of managing shared water resources in haor regions, where actions by one community can directly affect neighbouring areas.

Farmers in both unions are now awaiting official guidance on sustainable water management measures to protect their crops while maintaining communal peace. The administration has pledged to mediate future disputes and implement preventative measures to avoid similar conflicts during the peak monsoon season.

This clash underscores the delicate balance between agricultural needs and community cooperation in Sunamganj’s haor landscapes, where even small interventions like breaching an embankment can have far-reaching consequences.