20, including UNO, OC, injured in Brahmanbaria as residents of two villages clash

At least 20 people, including the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and the officer-in-charge (OC) of Sarail police station, were injured in a clash between residents of two villages in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria yesterday evening (30 April).

The clash, which stemmed from a previous dispute over a mobile phone charger and a fresh altercation over a man allegedly staring at a woman, took place between 7pm and 10pm in several phases between the residents of Chanmanipara and Mogoltula villages.

According to locals, Halema Begum, wife of the late Helal Mia of Chanmanipara, was walking through Haluapara village with her son Saiful Islam on Wednesday evening when Tawhidul Islam, son of Mohabbat Ali of Mogoltula village, allegedly stared at her. Halema confronted him, leading to a verbal altercation. As her son Saiful approached, the argument escalated into a physical confrontation between the two men.

Following the incident, residents of Mogoltula reportedly attempted to attack Saiful's home in Chanmanipara. Villagers from both sides engaged in a violent clash using local weapons.

In an attempt to bring the situation under control, Sarail UNO Mosharraf Hossain and OC Mohammad Rafiqul Hasan were injured along with several others. 

The injured were taken to Sarail Upazila Health Complex and other nearby hospitals for treatment.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Sarail circle, Tapan Sarkar, said, "There had been ongoing tension between the villagers of Chanmanipara and Mogoltula due to a clash two months ago over the purchase of a mobile phone charger. That unresolved conflict, along with the incident involving the woman, led to yesterday's violent clash."

"Police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Legal action is underway."