Clashes in Gaibandha Market Leave 15 Injured

Violent clashes between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing have left at least 15 people injured and caused significant damage to businesses in the Junudaha Bazar area of Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha district. The confrontation, reportedly driven by tensions over local political influence, also led to vandalism and temporary disruption of traffic on a key highway.

The incident occurred around 10pm on Monday in the Barisal Union’s Junudaha Bazar. Witnesses said the violence escalated rapidly after earlier tensions between the two groups. Local accounts suggest that followers of Palashbari Upazila BNP president Abdus Samad Mandal, also known as Maro Samad, were involved in assaulting two leaders associated with the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, intensifying an already fragile situation in the area.

Within a short time, large groups from both sides gathered at the market. What began as verbal altercations quickly turned into running clashes, with stone-pelting and chases through the crowded bazar. Several shops were also attacked during the violence, leaving traders struggling to protect their businesses as panic spread through the area.

At least 15 individuals were injured in the confrontation. Local sources reported that several of them sustained serious injuries and were transferred to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for advanced treatment. Among the injured are Abdus Samad Mandal himself, Gaibandha district volunteer party member Millat Sarkar Milon, and Palashbari municipal volunteer wing convenor Shamim Reza.

The unrest also had immediate consequences for transport. Traffic movement along the Dhaka–Rangpur highway section adjacent to the market was halted for around an hour, creating long queues of vehicles on both sides and causing considerable hardship for passengers stranded in the congestion.

Shop owners in Junudaha Bazar have alleged that at least 10 commercial establishments were damaged and looted during the clashes. Many traders reported financial losses and have called for a formal assessment of damages along with compensation from the authorities.

The situation prompted a late-night visit to the hospital by Gaibandha District BNP president Professor Dr Syed Moinul Hasan Sadiq and his son Dr Abir Hasan Deep, who inquired about the condition of the injured and spoke with their families.

Local BNP leaders strongly condemned the violence, stating that political disagreement should never be allowed to spill into street confrontations or damage public property. They called for a fair investigation to identify those responsible and urged law enforcement agencies to take strict action to prevent further escalation.

Palashbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sarowari Alam confirmed that police arrived at the scene shortly after being informed and managed to bring the situation under control. He added that no written complaint had been filed so far, but assured that legal action would be taken once formal allegations are received