Third Day of Clashes Leaves 20 Injured in Brahmanbaria

Violence continued for a third consecutive day in Sarail Upazila of Brahmanbaria after a dispute over interest-related money escalated into prolonged clashes between residents of two neighbouring villages. At least 20 people were injured during fresh fighting on Tuesday morning, while fear and disruption continued to grip the area.

According to local residents and police, the latest round of clashes began at around 9:00 am on Tuesday in the Kalikaccha Bazar area, where people from Suryakandi and Dharanti villages engaged in repeated confrontations. Armed with locally made weapons, members of both groups attacked one another, creating panic among residents and forcing many businesses to suspend operations.

Witnesses alleged that several shops and houses were vandalised during the violence. There were also accusations of looting, although authorities had not immediately confirmed the extent of the reported damage. As tensions intensified, commercial activities in Kalikaccha Bazar and nearby areas came to a near standstill, with many traders closing their premises for safety.

The unrest also severely affected transport on the Sarail–Nasirnagar–Lakhai road. Vehicular movement remained suspended for an extended period as the volatile situation made travel unsafe. Commuters, transport workers and local residents faced significant hardship, while many travellers were forced to seek alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Police and local sources said the dispute originated over an alleged outstanding payment of Tk100,000 linked to an interest-based financial transaction. Mosharaf Mia, a resident of Suryakandi village, claimed that Mohammad Khadim of neighbouring Dharanti village owed him the money. The disagreement reportedly escalated on Sunday night after Khadim allegedly refused to pay, triggering violent confrontations between residents of the two villages.

During Sunday’s clashes, Khadim was killed, dramatically worsening the situation. His death deepened hostilities between the communities and fuelled further violence over the following days.

Fresh clashes broke out again on Monday afternoon after Khadim’s funeral prayers. The confrontation lasted for nearly three hours and left at least 25 people injured, including Sarail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monjur Kader Bhuiyan. Police carried out extensive efforts to disperse the rival groups and restore order, but tensions remained high throughout the area.

Tuesday’s renewed violence followed a similar pattern, with both sides engaging in repeated chases, counter-chases and attacks using locally made weapons. At least 20 people sustained injuries, several of whom were taken to local health facilities and hospitals for treatment. Authorities had not immediately released the identities of the injured.

Residents said the conflict had been building over time due to personal animosity and unresolved financial disputes. The fatality on Sunday significantly heightened tensions, turning what had initially been a monetary disagreement into a broader confrontation involving large numbers of villagers. The continuation of violence over three consecutive days has raised serious concerns among local people, who fear further retaliation if the situation is not brought under control.

Officer-in-Charge Monjur Kader Bhuiyan said intermittent clashes between the two groups were continuing and that police remained deployed across the area to prevent further violence. Members of the law enforcement agencies are maintaining a strong presence and working to restore normalcy, while monitoring the situation closely to prevent any renewed escalation.