Three farmers were shot dead and 20 people were injured Wednesday when police clashed with villagers who allegedly used sugar cane to make illegal molasses in western Bangladesh, police said.
The villagers attacked police and a magistrate with scythes and other sharp weapons after they seized two illegal sugarcane crushing machines from the farmers, police superintendent Masudul Hasan said.
"The magistrate ordered the shooting after the villagers attacked him and the policemen. Three farmers died on the spot and five others were injured, with the condition of one critical," he said.