Four-Hour Clash Leaves 15 Injured

At least 15 people were injured in a four-hour clash between two rival groups in Brahmanbaria’s Sadar Upazila on Sunday, triggered by a dispute over the removal of a tea stall and compounded by a long-running rivalry over local influence. The confrontation, which involved spears, locally made sharp weapons and Chinese axes, disrupted traffic on the Natai–Astagram regional road for three hours.

The incident occurred between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in Thaliara village under Natai Uttar Union. Witnesses reported that participants from both sides wore helmets and protective jackets during the violence.

According to local residents and police, the clash took place between members of the Mindan Ali or “Small Group” faction and the Bhuiyan or “Middle Bari” faction, both based in Thaliara village. The Mindan Ali group is led by Md. Jobayer, while the Bhuiyan group is led by Md. Zainal Abedin.

Background to the Dispute

Sources said a tea stall owned by a man named Shiru Mia is located beside a pond in the Bhuiyan neighbourhood of the village. Because a television is regularly operated there, the stall and adjacent pond-side area attract crowds throughout the day. Complaints had reportedly arisen over inappropriate remarks allegedly directed at women and girls passing nearby.

At the same time, tensions had long existed between supporters of Jobayer and Zainal Abedin over local dominance. The dispute over the tea stall became intertwined with this earlier rivalry.

A village arbitration meeting recently decided that the tea stall should be removed. Members of the Mindan Ali faction supported the decision, while supporters of the Bhuiyan faction opposed it. The disagreement over implementing that decision led to renewed tensions on Sunday morning.

Violence Spreads Across Village

As arguments intensified around 9:00 am, members of both factions reportedly gathered with locally made weapons and became involved in a violent confrontation. During the clashes, attacks, vandalism and arson were reported at shops and houses belonging to both sides.

The violence spread from residential areas into nearby agricultural land and onto the Natai–Astagram regional road. Traffic on the route remained suspended for approximately three hours, causing difficulties for travellers, including students of Astagram High School and other commuters.

Eyewitnesses said both groups exchanged brickbats and engaged in repeated chases. Several participants used tin-sheet barriers as makeshift protection while throwing bricks and petrol bombs at one another.

Casualties and Police Response

At least 15 people, including women, were injured. Three of the injured received primary treatment at Brahmanbaria General Hospital. One person who suffered a penetrating injury from an “ekkaitta” weapon to the back was later referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Police teams from Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station and personnel from Brahmanbaria Fire Service and Civil Defence arrived at the scene around 11:00 am and brought the situation under control by approximately 1:00 pm.

Key Facts of the Incident

Yakub Ali Bhuiyan, president of the Natai Uttar Union BNP, said the conflict stemmed from disagreement over the implementation of a village arbitration decision regarding the tea stall. He added that one side had refused to accept the ruling.

Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahidul Islam of Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station said police responded after receiving reports of the violence and restored order by early afternoon. He confirmed that four individuals had been detained on suspicion of involvement in the clashes. He added that legal action would be taken if formal complaints were filed and that additional police personnel had been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest.