Over Fifty Injured as Village Factions Clash in Brahmanbaria

BRAHMANBARIA — Over fifty people sustained injuries on Saturday morning when two long-feuding local factions engaged in a violent two-hour battle in Nabinagar upazila, using village mosque loudspeakers to mobilize supporters armed with lethal traditional weapons.

The violent confrontation unfolded between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm in Tiyara village, situated within the Bitghar union of Nabinagar upazila. Police forces were eventually dispatched to the scene to quell the violence, bringing an uneasy calm to the locality after widespread vandalism and looting.

Decades-Long Feud and Recent Triggers

According to local law enforcement sources, the violent outbreak stems from a protracted rivalry for local dominance between Atiqur Rahman (popularly known as Shishu Mia) and former Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abul Hossain Ahmed. Tensions between supporters of the two influential figures have repeatedly degenerated into street clashes in recent months.

The immediate trigger for Saturday’s escalation occurred on Friday afternoon at around 3:30 pm, when two young men affiliated with Abul Hossain’s camp—18-year-old Apon Mia and 16-year-old Bayezid Ahmed—were returning home after playing a football match in neighboring Bhadragacha. Upon reaching Tiyara village, they were intercepted and physically assaulted by men loyal to Atiqur Rahman.

News of the assault spread rapidly, provoking a retaliatory confrontation at Tiyara market later that evening around 5:00 pm as rival supporters exchanged heated threats and engaged in chases across the village square.

Loudspeaker Calls and Rampant Destruction

Tensions boiled over on Saturday morning when fresh verbal arguments broke out at Tiyara market. Rather than dispersing, leaders from both camps resorted to using local mosque loudspeakers to call upon their respective loyalists to join the battle line.

Responding to the announcements, hundreds of men converged on the village carrying spears, cleavers, daggers, harpoons, and various sharp-edged homemade weapons. For two hours, Tiyara village turned into a virtual warzone. Factional fighters ransacked dozens of residential houses and commercial shops belonging to opposing members, looting valuables before law enforcement personnel managed to intervene and restore order.

At least forty of the injured were transported to Brahmanbaria General Hospital for emergency treatment, while remaining victims received medical attention at the Nabinagar Upazila Health Complex and nearby private clinics. Injured villagers receiving treatment in hospital confirmed that the situation escalated rapidly following the public broadcasts from the mosque minarets.

Previous Fatalities and Legal Escalation

This latest bout of violence follows a tragic incident earlier this summer. On 1 and 2 June, similar factional fighting between supporters of Abul Hossain and Atiqur Rahman resulted in severe injuries to Iqbal Mia, a supporter of the former chairman. Iqbal succumbed to his injuries on 11 June while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Following his death, the victim’s brother filed a formal murder charge with the police, naming Atiqur Rahman as the principal accused alongside eight co-defendants and 25 to 30 unidentified suspects.

Nabinagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Morshed Alam Chowdhury confirmed that police contingents have been stationed throughout Tiyara village to prevent further retaliatory attacks. He noted that while the situation remains under control, investigations into the vandalism, assault, and illegal gathering are actively underway. Attempts to contact both Abul Hossain and Atiqur Rahman by telephone following the incident were unsuccessful, as both mobile devices remained switched off.