At least 12 people, including a woman, were injured in a clash between two groups over unpaid tea bills in Shailkupa municipality of Jhenaidah on Friday morning.
The incident took place in the Khaldharpara area of Shailkupa municipal town.
The injured include Nayeb Ali, 40, son of Kamal Sheikh; Ripon Hossain, 30, son of Murad Hossain; Rubel Hossain, 40, son of Jamal Uddin; Tamal Hossain, 45, son of Abdur Rahim; Abdur Razzak, 65, son of late Abul Hossain; Jhontu Miah, 36, son of Akram Hossain; Shapla Khatun, 36, wife of Akram Hossain; and tea stall owner Shahjahan Ali, 45. Several of them were taken to hospital, while others received local treatment.
Local residents said the clash began when Ripon Hossain went to Shahjahan Ali’s tea stall on Friday morning and asked for tea on credit. As he already had unpaid dues, the shopkeeper refused to serve him again on credit. This led to an argument between the two.
At one stage, Ripon Hossain allegedly attacked Shahjahan Ali with a wooden bench and vandalised tea cups and saucers. Family members of Shahjahan then attacked Ripon Hossain. Supporters from both sides later joined the clash, turning it into a wider confrontation that left 12–13 people injured.
Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex emergency medical officer Mahbub Alam Parvez said eight injured people were brought to the hospital. He said they were admitted and receiving treatment.
Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Mollah said the clash broke out over refusal to serve tea on credit. He confirmed that several injured were admitted to the upazila health complex. Police were deployed in the area and the situation is now under control.
