Dhaka: Violent clashes between Bengalis and Urdu-speaking Biharis or stranded Pakistanis left 10 people dead on Saturday in Mirpur area here over the use of firecrackers overnight to celebrate an Islamic festival.
Witnesses and police said nine people, including eight of a family, were burnt to death and another died in gunshot as a camp of Biharis was set on fire over the dispute. Several others were also wounded in the violence later.
“The clash erupted between the local Bengali youths and the Biharis this morning over exploding crackers and fireworks marking the Shab-e-Barat...the Bengalis set fire at a house, causing the casualties,” Dhaka’s additional deputy police commissioner Jasim Uddin said.
He confirmed eight deaths and said five of the deceased were children and women.
The Biharis said the rioters torched 10 houses and looted valuables. They also said that police fired at the camp residents critically wounding several and one of them later died.
