More than 100 houses were vandalised and looted, with several set on fire, after a violent overnight clash between two groups of villagers in Sreepur upazila of Magura, triggered by a long-running dispute over local dominance. The six-hour confrontation, which started around 9pm on Friday and continued until about 3am, left at least 10 people injured, according to police and residents.
The conflict involved supporters of BNP activist Titon Mollah from Nohata village under Sabdalpur union, and a rival group led by local BNP leader Lipton Mia of Amtail village. Tensions escalated when members of the Lipton group, joined by people from nearby villages, allegedly launched an attack using locally made weapons, sparking retaliatory violence.
At least 10 people from both sides, including Rafiqul Islam, 35, Arab Ali, 66, and Yahia, 20, were injured in the clashes and taken to different hospitals for treatment.
During the violence, homes belonging to Titon Mollah’s supporters came under attack. Those affected include Idris Biswas, Rashid Mollah, Lelin Mollah, Poltu Mollah, Hakim Sheikh, Ator Sheikh, Sarwar Sheikh, Iqbal Sheikh, Sohel Rana, Chanda, Raju and Naziruddin, whose houses were vandalised and looted. Five goats were also taken during the attacks.
Other houses targeted include those of Anich Sheikh, Matin Sheikh, Al-Amin, Adil Uddin, Shomir Mollah, Amir Mollah, Nur Mohammad Biswas and Azam Biswas, where two goats and three cows were looted. The houses of Majid Sheikh and Raju Sheikh were also damaged, with three cows taken, while Montu Sheikh’s residence was ransacked.
In retaliation, supporters of Titon Mollah allegedly attacked properties linked to the rival group. Ripon Khan’s shop, Saleh Khan’s house, Atiar Mollah’s residence and the home of widow Anu Begum were vandalised and looted. Houses belonging to Rentu Khan, Nuruzzaman and Rashed Mollah were not only looted but also set on fire.
Additional properties owned by Pannu Biswas, Amanat, Ishan, Moshial, Anwar, Shaheen, Rashidul, Hashem and Rashem Joardar were also attacked. The cowshed and residence of Daud and his brother Golam Tahur were set ablaze, while the house of Mintu Biswas was vandalised and looted.
Nasima Khatun, wife of Golam Tahur from Amtail village, said, “My husband and his brother both work outside. At night, Titon’s men suddenly attacked our house. They set it on fire and looted everything.”
Lipi Begum, wife of Anichur Rahman from Nohata village, said, “My husband works as a mason. People of Lipton Mia attacked our house, vandalised and looted everything. I now have nowhere to stay with my three small children. I want justice.”
Salma Begum, wife of Al-Amin, described the fear during the attack. “We were terrified at night with our children. Lipton’s men entered the house and destroyed everything. They even took the money my infant child had saved in a clay bank. There will be no peace unless they are brought to justice,” she said.
Sreepur Police Station Investigation Officer Ataur Rahman said additional police had been deployed to the area following the incident. He said the situation was currently under control.
However, residents said tensions remain high and expressed concern that further violence could break out at any time.
