A man was killed and another injured after fresh clashes broke out between two rival groups in Madaripur town on Tuesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Alamgir Howlader, 55, a resident of the area.
The clash occurred when supporters of the Hasan Munshi and Akhtar Howlader groups reportedly engaged in a violent confrontation in New Madaripur area under Laxmiganj of the municipal town.
According to locals, the two groups have been in a long-standing rivalry following the killing of Shakil Munshi, president of the Sadar upazila unit of the Sramik Dal. The dispute has repeatedly sparked violence in the area.
Witnesses said supporters from both sides armed with locally made weapons attacked each other in the morning, leaving Alamgir Howlader seriously injured. He was later taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Earlier on Sunday night, the same groups clashed in the area for nearly two hours, from around 9:30pm to 11:30pm. During the violence, participants reportedly used torchlights and detonated more than 50 cocktail, causing panic among residents. Many people stayed inside their homes for safety.
Police from Madaripur Sadar Police Station rushed to the scene and fired tear gas shells to disperse the attackers. Later, members of the police and the army jointly brought the situation under control.
Sources said tensions between the rival factions intensified after Shakil Munshi, brother of Hasan Munshi, was hacked to death in an earlier clash involving supporters of Akhtar Howlader.
Since then, the area has witnessed repeated incidents of chase and counter-chase, bomb explosions and unrest.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Kalam Azad of Madaripur Sadar Police Station confirmed the death.
“One person was killed in the clash this morning. Additional police have been deployed and patrols have been intensified to maintain law and order,” he said.
A tense situation continues to prevail in the area, with law enforcement agencies remaining on alert to prevent further violence.
