Habiganj clash involving residents of multiple villages leaves 300 injured over two days
A dispute over debt involving two individuals was at the heart of the violence
A violent clash broke out between two groups in Mirpur Bazaar of Bahubal Upazila in Habiganj, over a financial dispute.
The conflict, which spanned two days, turned Mirpur Bazaar into a battleground, with both sides hurling bricks and engaging in violent confrontations that left at least 300 people injured.
The violence began at 6:30pm on Monday (26 August) and continued until midnight. The clash resumed intermittently on Tuesday (27 August) from morning until 3:30pm. During the altercation, the attackers set a motorcycle on fire in front of Bashir Plaza.
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Injured individuals were treated at Bahubal Upazila Health Complex, Habiganj Sadar Modern Hospital, and other local facilities.
Local sources reported that the conflict started when a dispute over debt arose between Alfa Mia, a tailor from Lamatasi village, and Al Amin, the son of Akl Ali from Baniagao village, in Mirpur Bazaar on Monday evening.
As news of the incident spread, tension escalated in Mirpur Bazaar, leading villagers from Lamatasi and Baniagao to arm themselves with local weapons and stones. The conflict intensified as announcements over mosque loudspeakers rallied support, with five villages backing Lamatasi and eight villages siding with Baniagao.
The clash, which included stone-throwing and explosion of firecrackers, continued late into the night. At one point, a motorcycle and several chairs near Bashir Plaza were set ablaze.
Despite the arrival of law enforcement, they struggled to control the situation, prolonging the violence. It wasn't until 12:30am that local leaders, including Bahubal Upazila Vice Chairman Hafiz Kamrul Islam, Mirpur Union Chairman Shamim Ahmed, and Lamatasi Union Chairman Ustar Mia, managed to restore order and disperse the crowds.
The situation eventually de-escalated after a decision was made to hold a mediation meeting on Tuesday, led by local elders.
Repeated attempts to reach Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Mashiur Rahman for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond.
