Clashes Between Two Rival Groups of Chatro Dol Leave 40 Injured in Pabna

Local Correspondent

At least 40 people were injured during violent clashes between two rival groups of Chatro Dol, the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in Bera, Pabna, on Wednesday. The conflict escalated into a broader confrontation involving residents from two villages after announcements were made over mosque loudspeakers.

The violence broke out at Kader Doctor’s intersection in Bera Bazar shortly after noon. Police and locals reported that two rallies, organized to mark the 46th founding anniversary of the student organization, collided, triggering the clashes. Tensions flared as members from Hatigara and Bonogram villages joined the altercation following the loudspeaker announcements.

Both groups attacked each other with makeshift weapons, with police efforts to intervene met with brickbats. The situation was brought under control only after the army was deployed.

Initial reports identified one group led by Murad Hossain, convener of the Bera Municipal unit of the student organization, and the other by Pranto Soudagar and Abu Bakkar, conveners of Wards 1 and 2, respectively.

Among the injured, two critically hurt individuals, Rahat Soudagar and Abu Hanif, were transferred to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura. Around 30 others, including Shakil, 22, Tushar Soudagar, 25, and Yasin, 20, received first aid for injuries, predominantly on the head and face. Most of the injured hail from Hatigara and Bonogram.

The clashes prompted joint action by two platoons of army personnel, led by Bera Upazila Executive Officer Md. Morshedul Islam, alongside police from Bera, Santhia, and Aminpur stations, to disperse the crowd.

Bera Police Station Officer-in-Charge Oliur Rahman confirmed that the combined efforts of police and army effectively restored order. He added that the situation in the area remains stable.

The student organization denied involvement in the incident. Manik Hossain, general secretary of the Bera Municipal unit, claimed the clashes originated between youths from the two villages and were not related to their group. He alleged that the announcements from mosque loudspeakers had escalated the violence and demanded action against those responsible for incitement.