Clashes in Madaripur Leaves 13 Homes Destroyed In Fire, 5 Injured

At least five individuals were injured and thirteen residential houses were reduced to ashes in Khatial village of Dasar Upazila, Madaripur district, following violent clashes on Wednesday, 14 January. The conflict, which stemmed from a long-standing land dispute, persisted from early morning until approximately 4:30 pm. Among the injured, one person’s condition was critical, necessitating transfer to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment.

According to police and local sources, the dispute involves Abbas Chowdhury and Anwar Jamaddar, whose disagreement over land ownership has endured for several years. The tension escalated on Tuesday, 13 January, when both parties engaged in a series of chases and counter-chases, during which rudimentary explosives were reportedly detonated.

The situation worsened on Wednesday morning when a group led by Anwar launched an attack on Abbas’s residence. During the assault, Abbas was injured by sharp weapons and immediately admitted to the Madaripur 250-bed District Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was subsequently referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for specialised care.

As news of the clashes spread, both factions armed themselves with homemade weapons, heightening tensions. By mid-afternoon, around 4:30 pm, Anwar’s faction reportedly set fire to at least thirteen houses belonging to Abbas’s family, while also looting property. In the chaos, five individuals were injured while attempting to intervene.

Authorities, including the police, military personnel, and fire services, swiftly arrived at the scene to restore order. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Md Jahangir Alam stated, “The incident arose from disputes over territorial control and land ownership. Following the attack, the opposing side retaliated with arson. Prompt intervention allowed us to regain control. Two arrests have already been made, and two separate cases filed.”

Siraj Jamaddar, a resident whose home was destroyed, described the devastation: “Thirteen houses of the Jamaddar family, including mine, have been completely burnt. The attack occurred before any discussion or resolution could take place. We seek justice.”

The key details of the incident are summarised in the following table:

Although the incident caused considerable anxiety among local residents, the combined efforts of law enforcement and emergency services have restored calm in the area.