A violent confrontation between two rival groups in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat district has left one person dead and several others injured, according to local authorities. The incident, driven by a long-standing dispute over local dominance, erupted on Thursday night and quickly escalated into widespread chaos in the village.

The clash took place at around 9:00 pm on Thursday (26 March) in Chingri village under Kolatala Union. Residents reported that the confrontation involved members of two influential local lineages—known locally as the Biswas group and the Sheikh group—whose rivalry over social and territorial influence has persisted since around 2012.

Eyewitness accounts and police sources suggest that the confrontation began with heated arguments, which soon turned into a violent exchange involving sticks, sharp weapons, and other locally available arms. The situation rapidly deteriorated, resulting in vandalism, arson attempts, and looting of several properties in the area. Panic spread throughout the village as residents fled their homes to avoid being caught in the violence.

Although the identity of the deceased and the injured has not yet been officially confirmed, authorities have acknowledged at least one fatality and multiple injuries. Several of the injured were reportedly taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while others received first aid locally.

Following the outbreak of violence, personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the army were deployed to restore order. Security forces conducted joint operations in the area overnight, bringing the situation under control after several hours of unrest. A tense calm has since returned to the village, although heavy security presence remains in place to prevent further escalation.

The Superintendent of Police for Bagerhat confirmed the death and stated that the situation is currently stable. He further added that law enforcement agencies are continuing their operations to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violence. Investigations are underway to determine the exact sequence of events and the individuals involved in instigating the clash.

Authorities have also indicated that additional security measures may be introduced in the area if tensions persist, given the long-standing nature of the rivalry between the two groups.

Incident Overview

The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by entrenched local rivalries in rural areas, where unresolved disputes can quickly escalate into large-scale violence requiring multi-agency intervention.