A class 6 student was shot during a clash between two rival groups outside his school in Cumilla city on Thursday, while students were on their tiffin break.
The victim, Ethan Ahmed, 12, is a student of Katabil Rafiq Uddin Memorial High School and the son of Md Yunus Mia of the Katabil area, said Touhidul Anwar, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station.
Critically injured, Ethan was first taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital and later referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment after his condition deteriorated, the OC said.
According to local sources, the rival Opu and Sabibor groups have long been locked in a dispute over alleged drug trafficking and control of the Katabil area. Tensions that began on Wednesday night escalated into a series of clashes, during which several crude bombs were reportedly detonated.
This morning, locals formed a human chain in front of Katabil Rafiq Uddin Memorial High School, protesting the previous night's violence and demanding an end to drug trafficking in the area.
After the programme ended around noon, both groups locked into a clash again and exchanged gunfire.
During the school's tiffin break, Ethan went outside and was struck by a bullet amid the violence, locals said.
"My son had gone out during the school break to get some food. He was shot in the back," said Ethan's mother, Sonia Akter.
Following the incident, additional police personnel were deployed in the area. Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have launched a joint operation.
OC Touhidul Anwar said the clash stemmed from disputes related to drugs and territorial control between the two groups.
"The situation is now under control. We are identifying those involved and taking legal action," he said.
Police have learned that the student was shot in the back, the OC added.
Dr Mohammad Shahjahan, acting director of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, said the bullet struck Ethan in the back and damaged his lung. As no ICU bed was available at the hospital, he was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
