At least 45 people were injured in a clash between two groups over the distribution of Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice cards in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah late Thursday.,
The violence broke out in phases at Chargoloknagar village under Mirzapur union and continued for nearly three hours before police and army personnel brought the situation under control.
Police said the injured were rescued and admitted to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital and other nearby facilities.
Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla said the situation is now calm and additional police have been deployed in the area.
“Several people have been taken into custody for questioning. Many from both sides were injured and taken to hospital, although the exact number is still being verified,” he said.
Local residents said the dispute stemmed from the distribution of VGF rice cards issued by Mirzapur Union Parishad for poor families ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Tension began on Thursday morning when Shamim Hossain Laskar asked Sayem Ali of the same village for a card.
The two became involved in an argument, prompting local elders to call a mediation meeting in the evening.
During the meeting, supporters of both men allegedly armed with locally made weapons clashed.
The fighting continued intermittently from about 8:30pm to 11:30pm.
Police and army personnel later dispersed the groups using batons.
Shailkupa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mahfuzur Rahman said VGF rice had been distributed earlier at Mirzapur Union Parishad without any disruption.
“The distribution process was peaceful. The incident that occurred later will be handled by law enforcement agencies,” he said.
