Around 150 to 200 people, most allegedly members of juvenile gangs, clashed in Chattogram’s Bakalia on Sunday night over control of the drug trade and regional dominance, according to local residents.
The two groups chased each other, hurled bricks and stones, and allegedly exploded crude bombs during the clash on Syed Shah Road.
Residents also reported hearing gunshots, sending panic through the neighbourhood.
Police said the conflict involved two local men, Md Murad and Md Jasim, who were once associates but later became rivals over control of drug trading, land grabbing and influence in the area.
Police arrested 15 people from the two groups, including Jasim, after the clash.
An operation is underway to arrest Murad, said Bakalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Alam.
Dispute over drug trade
Police and residents said the rivalry between Murad and Jasim had been going on for years.
According to police, Jasim once worked with Murad and allegedly obtained yaba and other drugs from him for resale.
Their relationship deteriorated about a year ago when Jasim allegedly stopped sourcing drugs from Murad and began obtaining them from other sources. He later formed a separate group, police said.
The rivalry intensified over control of the drug trade, land grabbing and establishing dominance in the area.
Residents said the two groups had been involved in occasional chases and clashes before, but Sunday’s incident was more serious.
Witnesses said members of both groups armed with sticks engaged in a clash and threw bricks and stones at each other. Gunshots were also heard.
Residents rushed indoors and shops closed amid the violence, they said.
Locals estimated that 150 to 200 people were involved, many of them allegedly members of juvenile gangs. OC Shahinur Alam said both Murad and Jasim had juvenile gangs operating under them.
“Their dispute is over drug trading, land grabbing and establishing dominance in the area,” he said.
Both sides deny allegations
Police said Murad has eight cases against him involving drugs, arms and looting, while Jasim faces 12 cases, including drug-related charges.
Murad identifies himself as an activist of the Chattogram city Jubo Dal and has posted photographs and videos of his participation in various party programmes on Facebook.
However, Emadul Haque, organising secretary of the city Jubo Dal, said Murad was not his follower.
“The party will not take responsibility for anyone’s criminal activities,” he said.
Murad alleged that Jasim’s associates were selling yaba and other drugs at 15 to 20 locations in Bakalia. He claimed his associates were attacked with firearms when they went to those spots to stop the drug trade.
He also denied having any previous association with Jasim and claimed the drug cases against him were filed as part of a conspiracy.
Murad acknowledged attending Jubo Dal rallies and programmes but said he held no position in the organisation.
Jasim, meanwhile, identifies himself as a follower of Ismail Hossain, convener of Bakalia thana Jubo Dal.
Ismail denied the claim, saying Jasim was neither his follower nor associated with him. Mohammad Shahed, general secretary of the city Jubo Dal, said criminals had no place in the organisation.
“The party has a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities,” he said, adding that action would be taken against anyone found to have sheltered or supported criminals.
OC Shahinur Alam said Murad and Jasim had once moved together but later became rivals. He said the clash arose from their dispute over drug trading, land grabbing and control of the area.
Police have arrested 15 people from the two groups, including Jasim, while efforts are underway to arrest Murad, he said. “The situation is under control. There is no reason for local residents to panic,” the OC added.
