PABNA — At least 10 people were injured in a clash over control of a riverside ghat in Bera pourashava of Pabna on Monday, with a BNP office in the area vandalized and set on fire, police said.
The clash erupted Monday afternoon in Brishalikha of Bera pourashava.
Locals and police said the Brishalikha ghat on the Hurasagar River in Bera was previously controlled by Awami League leaders and activists. After Aug. 5, several local BNP groups and Awami League workers and supporters of Brishalikha village jointly maintained control of the ghat. On Monday, two BNP supporters named Hasan Ali and Salman went to the ghat to take possession.
An argument broke out between them and ghat laborers and residents of Brishalikha village, leading to a chase and counter-chase before erupting into a clash. Villagers from Sandarpara then joined the side of Hasan and Salman, and the clash escalated.
Gunshots were fired during the clash, and a BNP office at the ghat was vandalized and set on fire. Law enforcement personnel arrived after being informed and brought the situation under control.
Bera pourashava BNP president Fazlur Rahman Fakir said the incident occurred between an extortion gang and people posing as BNP members. Police know who is behind the extortion, he said, declining to comment further.
Bera Model police station officer-in-charge A.K.M. Habibul Islam said the incident took place between two sides. Both BNP and Awami League members are present in the area, he said, adding that police are working on the case and legal action will be taken against those involved. Tension remained in the area following the clash.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report