TOB Report, Dhaka
Intense clashes between two rival groups from neighboring villages in central Bangladesh’s Madaripur district left dozens injured, including a senior police officer, officials said on Monday.
The violent confrontation erupted on Sunday night in the Rajair sub-district, where groups from Badarpasha and West Rajair villages engaged in nearly four hours of chase and counter-chase.
Witnesses said more than 40 crude bombs were detonated and thousands of stones hurled between the sides, triggering widespread panic.
Amid efforts to disperse the fighting, two police vehicles were vandalized and at least 12 shops looted and damaged.
The situation was finally brought under control around 11 PM following joint intervention by the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and fire service personnel.
In the wake of the violence, the local administration has imposed a ban on public gatherings to maintain order and prevent further unrest. The restriction will remain in effect until midnight Tuesday.
“The ban has been enforced to ensure public safety and avoid any further deterioration of law and order,” said Rajair Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahfuzul Haque.
A similar clash on Saturday night, also between residents of the same villages, sparked by a dispute over fireworks. That confrontation, which lasted nearly three hours, left at least 25 people injured, including eight police officers.
According to police and hospital sources, tensions have been simmering since April 2, when a disagreement over fireworks escalated into violence.
Eyewitness Sajib Mia reported that villagers were mobilized through loudspeakers, with intermittent battles breaking out. “Brick chips flew like rain, and the sound of explosions terrified everyone. Even after the electricity was cut off, people fought using flashlights,” he said.
Rajair Police Station chief Mohammad Masud Khan confirmed the incident and said the situation was now under control. Additional police and military personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
So far, two individuals have been arrested.