At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two rival groups over a dispute involving a shop's land in Thaliara village of Brahmanbaria Sadar on Sunday.
The violence started around 10:30am and continued intermittently for more than three hours before police brought the situation under control.
According to police and local residents, a long-standing dispute had been simmering between Zubayer of the Mindar Ali faction and Zainal Mia of the Middle Bari faction over the ownership and possession of a shop in Thaliara village under Natai Uttar Union. The shop had been occupied by Zubayer.
A village arbitration held four days ago reportedly ruled that the shop should be vacated. Members of the Mindar Ali faction rejected the decision, leading to renewed tensions.
In the morning, an argument between the two sides escalated into a violent confrontation, with both groups attacking each other using locally made weapons.
At least 20 people were injured in the clash. Among them, Syed Jamal, son of Haji Zaher Mia and a member of the Mindar Ali faction, suffered critical injuries after being struck by a spear. He was given primary treatment and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced care.
Police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the violence and worked for nearly three hours to restore order. Additional riot police were deployed from the district headquarters to assist in controlling the situation.
Yakub Ali Bhuiyan, president of the Natai Uttar Union BNP, said local party leaders and activists attempted to mediate and stop the fighting, but their efforts were unsuccessful due to the escalating tensions.
Confirming the incident, Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shahidul Islam said police eventually brought the situation under control and detained four people from the scene for their alleged involvement in the clash.