At least 10 people were injured on Friday when a clash broke out between two groups in Sirajganj town following a phone argument and alleged verbal abuse.
The violence erupted on Mujib Road in the Dhanbandhi area, where residents of Dhanbandhi and Bhangabari engaged in chases and hurled stones and bricks.
The conflict transformed the area into a virtual battlefield, forcing local shops to close and creating panic among residents.
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
The injured were admitted to Sirajganj 250-bed General Hospital and local clinics.
According to eyewitnesses, the dispute began when a supporter of district BNP General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu allegedly abused a municipal Jubo Dal leader over the phone.
In protest, supporters of Jubo Dal General Secretary Sanwar Hossain Sanu led a rally, which was confronted by a rival group near Mujib Road, sparking the street brawl.
Several local sources claimed that tensions had been mounting between supporters of Bachchu, a potential mayoral candidate for the upcoming Sirajganj municipal election, and supporters of former municipal councillor Haji Abdul Sattar over local influence.
They noted that Friday’s clash erupted from a personal dispute amidst these ongoing political frictions.
However, Sattar denied any involvement, claiming the clash was entirely personal and unrelated to his political or business activities.
Sirajganj Sadar Police OC Mohammad Rakibul Islam confirmed that additional police have been deployed to maintain order.
