Three-Hour Clashes Shut Madaripur Highways Amid Explosions

Severe violence erupted in Madaripur on Tuesday afternoon as rival groups clashed over territorial dominance, bringing major highways to a standstill for several hours and plunging the area into widespread panic. The confrontation began around 3:00 pm and continued unabated until approximately 6:00 pm at the Mustafapur roundabout in Madaripur Sadar upazila, a key transport hub connecting several districts.

During the clashes, more than fifty crude bombs—locally known as cocktails—were detonated, creating scenes of chaos and fear among residents and commuters. At least ten people from both sides sustained injuries, while extensive damage was reported to shops and homes in the vicinity.

According to police and local residents, the violence stemmed from a long-running rivalry between two influential groups led by Union Parishad member Habib Hawladar and Idris Hawladar on one side, and Shamchu Sardar, also known locally as “Kopa Shamchu,” on the other. The dispute over local dominance had been simmering for years and escalated dramatically following recent events.

Sources said Shamchu Sardar had recently been arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in an explosives-related case and was released on bail shortly before the incident. Allegations surfaced that on Tuesday morning he assaulted a teenage member of the Hawladar family, triggering retaliation later in the day. By afternoon, both factions had gathered with an array of locally made weapons, including spears, machetes, cleavers, and sharp metal blades, leading to violent street battles.

As clashes intensified, at least six shops and four residential houses were vandalised and looted. The unrest forced the closure of the Madaripur–Chandpur–Shariatpur regional highway and disrupted traffic on the Dhaka–Barishal highway for nearly two hours. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded, causing severe hardship for passengers and drivers alike.

Law enforcement agencies—including police, RAB, Detective Branch (DB), and army personnel—rushed to the scene to restore order. However, several crude bombs were reportedly thrown at security forces during their intervention. Eventually, local leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Krishak Dal member secretary Ohiduzzaman arrived and helped defuse tensions. Traffic movement gradually resumed after 6:00 pm.

The injured were taken to Madaripur 250-bed District Hospital and other medical facilities. Among them, Hanif Sardar (26) was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, while Zubayer Hawladar received treatment at the district hospital.

Union Parishad member Habib Hawladar accused Shamchu Sardar of harbouring criminals and engaging in bomb-making and drug trafficking, claiming that multiple serious cases—including murder and robbery—had been filed against him. Shamchu Sardar, however, denied the allegations, asserting that his group was attacked first and that police inaction forced them to respond.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Fariha Rafique Bhabna stated that authorities made every effort to control the situation and ensure public safety. Madaripur Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam Azad confirmed that legal action would be taken against all those involved in violence, vandalism, and the use of illegal weapons.

Incident at a Glance