20 Injured in Clash over Cricket in Kishoreganj's Bhairab, Journalist Attacked

A clash involving mutual chases between two groups over a cricket game has taken place in Bhairab, Kishoreganj. At least 20 people from both sides were injured.

The clash took place around 5:15pm on Friday between people of Kamalpur Nayabari and Sadhu Mia's house in Bhairab upazila. The clash lasted for about an hour.

According to local sources, an argument and dispute first broke out between the two sides on Thursday night over a cricket tournament. At one stage it turned into tension.

An arbitration meeting over the incident was scheduled for Friday evening. But before the meeting, in the afternoon, people from both sides clashed carrying locally made weapons. Among the injured, a young man from the Nayabari side was taken to Dhaka in critical condition for better treatment.

M R Rubel, the Bhairab correspondent of Ajker Patrika, came under attack while gathering news of the clash. It is alleged that 15-20 youths led by Arfat Mia of Nayabari attacked him while he was recording video of the clash. He alleged that the attackers beat him and snatched his mobile phone and wallet. He later took treatment at the upazila health complex.

M R Rubel said, 'I went to the spot to perform my professional duty after getting news of the clash. While recording video, a group of youths attacked me. When two youths came forward to save me, the attackers also charged at them with machetes and spears.'

Local journalists and leaders of political, social and cultural organisations, along with people from various professions, condemned the attack on a journalist performing professional duty. They demanded that the attackers be identified and given exemplary punishment.

Bhairab police station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Mahbubur Rahman said police went to the spot on receiving news of the clash and calmed the situation.