15 injured in clash between two villages in Sunamganj's Derai over a love marriage

At least 15 people from both sides have been injured in a clash between residents of two villages in Derai upazila of Sunamganj, centred on a young couple's love affair and marriage.

The clash took place around 3pm on Wednesday (4 November) between residents of Matiapur and Halimpur villages under Karimpur Union of the upazila. Tension spread through the area after the clash.

Local and police sources said a young man from Matiapur village had long been in a relationship with a young woman from Halimpur village. On Tuesday night the woman left home with the young man, and they later married through a Kazi in accordance with religious rites.

The woman's family alleges that the young man lured their daughter away. The young man's family, however, claims there was no force or enticement — the woman went with her partner of her own free will, following their long-standing relationship.

To inform the family of the marriage and seek a settlement between the two families, people from the young man's side went to the woman's home on Tuesday night itself. An argument broke out between the two sides, and at one stage the woman's family members allegedly attacked the young man's relatives.

Following that incident, people from both sides clashed on Wednesday afternoon armed with sharp local weapons, leaving at least 15 people from the two sides injured.

On receiving the news, police from Derai police station went to the spot and brought the situation under control. The injured were rescued and admitted to Derai Upazila Health Complex. Their names and identities could not be known immediately.

Derai police station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Aminul Islam confirmed the incident, saying the clash between the two villages' people had erupted over a trivial matter and that police were sent to bring the situation under control.