At least three people were injured in a series of violent clashes between residents of two villages in Teknaf, reportedly triggered by tensions linked to the smuggling of food and goods into Myanmar via the Naf River border.
The clashes, marked by repeated chases and counter-chases, broke out on Thursday night in the Amtoli and Bazarpara areas under Huaikyang Union.
According to local sources, tensions had been building for several days following a major seizure of food items by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Jamtoli border point. The seizure allegedly led to suspicion falling on a local individual, fuelling unrest in the area.
Although earlier attempts were made to defuse the situation through intervention by local leaders and police, including plans for a formal arbitration (shalish) after Eid, the violence resumed on Thursday night.
The latest confrontation began when a resident of Amtoli village was allegedly threatened by a youth from Bazarpara at Huaikyang market. The incident quickly escalated after news spread, prompting residents of Amtoli to launch an attack on Bazarpara.
In a retaliatory move around 9:30pm, Bazarpara residents reportedly attacked Amtoli, vandalising several tin-and-bamboo houses during the unrest.
At the height of the violence, the motorcycle of local journalist Abdullah Al Samrat was also vandalised while he was covering the situation. He said he had parked his vehicle by the roadside when a group armed with local weapons attacked it, and alleged that police response was delayed despite being informed.
Inspector Hafiz Ahmed, in-charge of Huaikyang Police Outpost, confirmed that the clashes were linked to disputes over smuggling activities along the border.
He said three people were injured in the confrontation and added that locals briefly blocked the Teknaf–Cox’s Bazar highway during the unrest before police intervened and brought the situation under control.
