Seven Hurt, Including a Woman, in Jhenaidah Dominance Clash
At least seven people, including a woman, were injured in a clash between two rival groups over social dominance in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah on Thursday morning (22 October). The incident took place in Puran Bakharba village of the upazila.
Police and locals said supporters of two local community leaders — Anu Mondal and Bakul Biswas — of Puran Bakharba village had been in a long-running feud over dominance in the area. This morning, when cattle ate paddy from a field and a protest was raised, men of Bakul Biswas beat up Shaneka Khatun, the wife of expatriate Moni Biswas, a supporter of Anu Mondal.
In the fallout, men of Anu Mondal and Bakul Biswas clashed with locally made weapons. At least seven people were injured. News of the clash spread panic in the area.
Humayun Kabir Molla, officer-in-charge of Shailkupa police station, said police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The injured were admitted to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex.
According to locals, the tug-of-war over influence between supporters of Anu Mondal and Bakul Biswas had been going on for a long time, with tensions flaring frequently even over trivial matters.
An argument on Thursday morning over cattle eating paddy from a field escalated into a full-blown clash. As soon as news of the beating of Shaneka Khatun reached the two sides, their men confronted each other with weapons.
Such clashes in rural areas often turn deadly. Injuries from clashes with locally made weapons are not unusual in Bangladesh, especially in conflicts centred on dominance, land or village politics.
Police said additional personnel have been deployed at the scene. Patrols have been intensified to maintain peace in the area, and surveillance continues to prevent a fresh clash between the two sides.
The injured are being treated at Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex. Preparations are in place to shift the seriously injured to the district sadar hospital if advanced treatment is needed.
No case had been filed over the incident as of the latest reports. Police said legal action will be taken once complaints are received from the injured, and work is underway to identify those responsible on both sides.
Concerned locals say such clashes will keep recurring unless this culture of dominance in the village is stopped. They have demanded that the administration take the initiative for a settlement between the two sides and take strict action against the armed men.
Police said the overall situation is now under control, though tension persists in the area and police watch continues.
