A violent confrontation involving the detonation of improvised explosive devices and physical assaults occurred on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, at the Tegharia bus stand in South Keraniganj, Dhaka. The conflict, which erupted during the afternoon along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, resulted in injuries to at least six individuals and caused significant disruption to transport operations in the locality.
According to police and hospital records, four of the six injured have been identified as Md. Malek Gazi (53), Md. Shaheen (30), Md. Sajjad Hossain (22), and Mahmud Hasan (27). The victims received immediate medical attention after the skirmish subsided. Following the cessation of violence, law enforcement authorities confirmed that a formal criminal case has been registered at the South Keraniganj Police Station.
Dispute Over Illegal Levies and Market Control
The Tegharia bus stand has been a documented focal point for disputes regarding the collection of illegal levies. Local sources indicate that buses are frequently stopped at this location without official authorisation to facilitate the boarding and deboarding of passengers. Allegations suggest that a systematic rate of extortion is collected from every vehicle, totaling several hundred thousand BDT per month.
Md. Mizan, an employee at the stand, provided a statement regarding the immediate catalyst for the Wednesday afternoon clash. He alleged that associates of an individual named Rifat Molla had been demanding a “toll” of 100 BDT whenever a vehicle boarded extra passengers or loaded surplus cargo. Mizan claimed that any opposition to these demands was met with verbal abuse and intimidation. According to his account, the violence was initiated when Rifat Molla’s associates attacked a transport counter, prompting counter-staff to intervene in self-defence.
Conflicting Claims and Political Assertions
Rifat Molla has explicitly denied the allegations of extortion, presenting a conflicting narrative of the afternoon’s events. He asserted that the attack was a premeditated strike orchestrated by local political figures intended to drive him out of the market. Rifat claimed that he operates a legitimate counter at the stand and has been under sustained pressure from a rival faction to vacate the premises.
According to Rifat’s version of events:
The conflict began when his employees arrived at the bus stand on two motorcycles and were intercepted by a group led by Md. Bishal.
He alleged that when he attempted to seek legal recourse at the South Keraniganj Police Station, he was forcibly ejected by a group of 20 to 30 individuals, including Mehedi Hasan Samrat and Zahirul Islam.
He claimed that the attackers seized his two high-value motorcycles during the melee.
Rifat further maintained that his family has a long history with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and that he had previously been incarcerated for his political affiliations, suggesting a political motive behind the hostility.
Political Clarification and Law Enforcement Action
Following reports of the violence, Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury, President of the South Keraniganj Thana BNP, visited the site to assess the situation. Speaking to the press, she clarified that the police had been alerted to the ongoing extortion at the Tegharia bus stand well before this incident. She categorically disputed Rifat Molla’s claims of party affiliation, asserting that he is not a member of the BNP and was the primary aggressor in the attack on party activists. She reinforced that there would be “no tolerance for extortionists or terrorists” within Keraniganj.
Saiful Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of South Keraniganj Police Station, confirmed that additional police personnel were deployed to the bus stand to restore order and prevent further escalation between the factions. He noted that the dispute over the control of the stand had been simmering for a considerable period.
OC Saiful Islam confirmed that a formal case has been filed by Md. Bishal. He stated that while improvised explosives (locally known as “cocktails”) were detonated during the clash, forensic teams are still working to verify which faction was responsible for the explosions. A thorough investigation is currently underway to identify all perpetrators and proceed with necessary legal actions. Police patrols remain active at the Tegharia hub to ensure the continued safety of the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway.