A violent confrontation involving supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami broke out in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha over the control of local influence, triggering widespread panic and forcing residents and traders to seek safety elsewhere.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Thursday (11 June) at the Panhati area of Chhoto Shimultala within Palashbari municipal town. According to local accounts, tensions had been simmering for an extended period over dominance and operational control of the Panhati market space. The rivalry had previously led to several confrontations in the same locality.
Eyewitnesses reported that the situation escalated rapidly in the morning when members from both groups gathered at the site, armed with locally made weapons and bricks. A series of chase-and-retreat movements followed, with both sides engaging in brick throwing across the adjacent Palashbari–Gobindaganj regional highway, causing disruption to normal movement in the area.
At one stage, multiple crude explosive devices—commonly referred to as cocktails—were reportedly detonated, intensifying fear among shopkeepers, commuters, and nearby residents. Many people fled the scene in panic, while local traders hastily closed their establishments.
Several makeshift tin-roofed shops in the Panhati market area were vandalised during the unrest. In addition, two trees in the vicinity were cut down amid the chaos, further contributing to damage in the area. Footage circulating on social media shows groups of individuals hurling bricks at each other from opposite sides of the road.
Summary of the incident
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Panhati area, Chhoto Shimultala, Palashbari municipality |
| Time | Thursday, around 7:30 a.m. |
| Involved groups | Supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami |
| Nature of clash | Chase-and-counter-chase, brick throwing, alleged crude bomb explosions |
| Damage reported | Vandalised shops, felled trees, public panic |
| Previous incident | Clash on 20 May resulting in a fatality |
Local residents stated that disputes over control of the Panhati market have been ongoing for a considerable period, repeatedly triggering violent incidents. They further recalled that during a clash on 20 May, a Jamaat supporter sustained serious injuries and later died while undergoing treatment, an event that significantly escalated tensions in the area.
Following the latest outbreak of violence, local authorities intervened to restore order. Law enforcement officials confirmed that police were dispatched to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the unrest and that the situation has since been brought under control.
The Officer-in-Charge of Palashbari Police Station stated that clashes had occurred between the two groups in the morning. He added that the use of crude explosive devices has not yet been independently verified. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain stability and prevent further escalation.
Members of the local community have expressed concern over the recurring nature of such confrontations, attributing them to struggles for political dominance and control over local commercial spaces. They have urged the authorities to adopt stricter preventive measures and ensure a lasting resolution to avoid further deterioration of public safety in the region.