In a fresh eruption of violence, two rival groups clashed in the Chabbishpara area of Joynagar Union under Jajira upazila in Shariatpur, triggering the explosion of more than a hundred improvised cocktail bombs — described by locals as bursting “like puffed rice.”
At least two people were injured, including a young man whose wrist was severely wounded by a direct blast.
The clash, which broke out around noon on Sunday, stemmed from a long-standing turf dispute between local factions. The incident follows closely on the heels of another major confrontation in Jajira’s Bilaspur on April 5, where similar scenes of chaos and over a hundred cocktail explosions had already drawn national attention.
According to Jajira police and local sources, the two rival groups are led by supporters of Mithun Dhaly, former general secretary of the Tejgaon College unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, and Halim Talukder, an elected member of Ward 2 in Joynagar Union Parishad. Both leaders have reportedly gone into hiding following the fall of the Awami League government.
In their absence, local leadership of the factions has shifted to Jasim Talukder and Nur Alam Sardar respectively. The situation escalated Saturday night when supporters of Jasim Talukder allegedly assaulted a man named Sajal Chokdar, triggering tension throughout the area.
On Sunday, both sides reportedly mobilised with cocktail bombs and traditional weapons. Witnesses and security officials said Nur Alam Sardar’s men initiated the attack by hurling cocktails at the rival group. One such device exploded on the hand of Sabbiar Khalasi (19), a supporter of Jasim Talukder, causing severe injuries to his wrist. He was rushed to Dhaka for treatment.
The initial blast led to nearly an hour-long confrontation involving chasing, counter-attacks, and continuous explosions. Joint forces, including police, RAB, and army personnel, were deployed to restore order.
Surveillance footage from a local CCTV camera captured parts of the violence. A 4-minute, 44-second video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows individuals from one faction carrying buckets filled with explosives and hurling them at opponents. Others are seen wielding spears, machetes, axes, and traditional weapons in pursuit of their rivals.
“During the fight, Nur Alam’s men threw a bomb that exploded on Sabbiar’s hand,” his aunt Fatema Begum told reporters.
In the aftermath, a joint security operation was launched in the area. Many male residents have reportedly gone into hiding, fearing arrest. Efforts to reach the key players for comment were unsuccessful, as their mobile phones were found switched off.
Jajira Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md. Dulal Akand confirmed the incident.
“There was a violent clash over dominance between two groups in Joynagar. Cocktail bombs were used during the conflict. Police promptly reached the scene and brought the situation under control. A joint force operation has since been carried out, and things are now stable. We are working to identify those involved. No case has been filed yet.”