13 Injured as Two Jubo Dal Factions Clash Three Times in Patiya Over Theft Dispute

Two factions of the Jubo Dal clashed repeatedly in Patiya upazila of Chattogram in a dispute linked to dominance in the area. The clashes took place in three phases on Friday night (30 October) in the Badamtal area of Jangalkhain Union and inside the Patiya Upazila Health Complex. Thirteen leaders and activists from the two sides were injured.

Among the injured, Jubo Dal leader and former UP member Md Sujan was said to be in serious condition. He was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. The other injured were Jubo Dal leader Md Amjad and Chhatra Dal activists Jahangir, Tipu, Azad, Irfan, Shuvo, Borhan, Raihan, Mashfi, Afzal, Rafi and Arfan.

Local sources said the clashes began over the beating of a teenager in connection with a theft and the protest against it. Three days earlier, a theft took place at the house of Nurul Islam Chairman in the Badamtal area of Jangalkhain Union. A teenager named Irfan was suspected in that incident.

On Friday evening, Md Sujan, a former member of Habilasdwip Union Parishad and organising secretary of the South District Jubo Dal, called in the teenager and warned him not to be involved in such incidents in future. When Jubo Dal leader Amjad protested, people accompanying Sujan allegedly dragged Amjad and threw him to the ground.

Tension spread between the two sides following that incident. At around 8pm, people from Amjad's side came and beat Sujan and four or five others. The injured Sujan was then taken to Patiya Upazila Health Complex.

At around 9:30pm, as preparations were under way to take Sujan to Chattogram Medical College Hospital after first aid, another attack took place at the hospital entrance. Sujan's followers then clashed with Amjad's followers. In all, at least 13 people from the two sides were injured. On receiving the news, Patiya police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

Local sources claimed Amjad is a follower of former union BNP general secretary Selim Uddin. Sujan, on the other hand, is a follower of Shafiqul Islam, a former chairman of Habilasdwip Union Parishad and a district BNP member. The two sides had also scuffled recently at a reception programme at Hulain Pairol High School. Tension over dominance had been running between them since then.

Dr Md Hadi of the emergency department of Patiya Upazila Health Complex said tension arose in the hospital area when UP member Sujan was being sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital after first aid. He then informed Patiya police. Ten people injured in the fighting received first aid at Patiya Upazila Health Complex.

Acknowledging the incident, former Jangalkhain Union BNP general secretary Selim Uddin said people from Habilasdwip Union first came and beat people from Jangalkhain Union. The later clashes followed from that.

Patiya police station officer-in-charge Ziaul Haque said police were sent quickly to the spot after news of the fighting between the two sides, and the situation calmed down. A written complaint has been received in connection with the incident. Legal action is being taken after investigation.