20 injured as minor dispute over singaras escalates into violent clash in Faridpur
Two of the injured are in critical condition, and they have been rushed to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for treatment
A minor dispute over singaras escalated into a violent clash, injuring 20 in Faridpur's Boalmari.
The incident took place in the Gunbaha Taltola Bazar area of Boalmari Municipality yesterday (10 January).
Two of the injured were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for treatment.
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Contacted, Boalmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Golam Rasul said police were sent to the spot upon receiving news of the clash, and the situation is now under control.
"No one has filed a complaint yet. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed," he added.
According to police and locals, a dispute broke out between Billal Mallik, a hotel owner, and Mohammad Rahul Molla, 23, son of former councillor and BNP leader Farid Hossain Molla, over a minor transaction and eating singaras on Thursday (9 January) evening.
Rahul and his associates reportedly vandalised Billal Mallik's hotel in retaliation.
Upon learning about the matter, Councillor Farid Ahmed offered Billal Mallik Tk2,000 as compensation. Billal refused to accept the money and suggested a mediation today (11 January).
However, even before the mediation could take place, a group of people, reportedly led by Vice President of the ward Awami League (AL) Nasim Mallik, engaged in a verbal altercation with the supporters of former councillor Farid Hossain Molla yesterday.
Subsequently, both groups, armed with local weapons, engaged in a violent clash, locals said.
Omar Mallik, brother of AL leader Nasim Mallik, and Raja Sheikh, son of Farid's supporter Dulu Sheikh, were injured during the clash.
The injured were initially treated at Boalmari Upazila Health Complex and then referred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.
During the clash, Sirajul Islam, a journalist, was also injured while performing his professional duties.
The locals said BNP leader and former councillor Farid Hossain Molla was also injured while trying to mediate between the two groups.
His supporters, Tulu Sheikh, Mohammad Jahid, and Akim Biswas, were also injured.
On the other hand, AL leader Nasim Mallik and his supporters, including Mohammad Ali, Omar Mallik, Jakaria Mahmud, Sirajul Haque, Maruf Mallik, Milan Mallik, and Ahad Mallik, were injured.
"Rahul vandalised Billal's shop after an argument over him not paying the bill for singaras he had eaten from Billal's shop," said Zakaria Mahmud, a coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement who was injured during the clash.
AL leader Nasim Mallik said, "My brother Billal had a transaction with Farid's son Rahul. Although Billal paid the money, Rahul refused to pay for the singaras he had eaten, leading to an argument. On Friday morning, they attacked my people."
Meanwhile, BNP leader Farid Hossain said, "My son received Tk5,000 from Billal. He ate Tk20 worth singaras from Billal's shop and did not pay, which led to an argument.
"Following this incident, AL leader Nasim Mallik and his men, armed with local weapons, attacked us. As a result, me and 10 of my supporters were injured. We are preparing to file a case."
