A violent clash between two groups of villagers over a trivial matter of sweet distribution at the opening of a new shopping mall has left 50 people injured, including police officers, in Madaripur.
The incident took place at Rajoir upazila’s Shanerpar area from 8pm-11pm on Saturday.
To control the situation, police fired 66 rounds of rubber bullets and seven tear gas shells. At that time, 50 people, including Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajoir police station Ziaul Morshed and OC (Operation) Mozammel Hossain, two police superintendents, two assistant superintendents, four constables, and a number of villagers were injured.
Confirming the matter, OC Ziaul said: “All measures have been taken to prevent further chaos in the area.”
The injured were given treatment at different private hospitals and at state-run Rajoir Hospital.
During the clash, the Dhaka-Barisal highway remained closed for three hours, with hundreds of vehicles stuck in the ensuing jam.
Madaripur Riot Police went to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Eight people were arrested in connection with the clash.
Police have also filed a case over the incident, accusing 4000-5000 villagers. Additional police personnel were also deployed in the area.
According to information from police, local and hospital sources, an argument took place between Sajal Hawlader of Mollakandi village and Imon Sheikh of Bejerbari village over distribution of sweets at the inauguration of Madhubazar Shopping Mall, ending in mayhem.
Following the incident, people from both villages attacked each other with locally made weapons. Even announcements were made at local mosques for people to gather at the scene of the fight.
Madaripur Superintendent of Police Subrata Kurmar Haldar said: “Ten policemen, including two OCs, were injured while trying to quell the situation.”
