Two groups clashed repeatedly in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, over the lease of Baluchar cattle market and the election of the market's traders' association. At least 10 people were seriously injured, three of them hit by tenta, the local fishing spear.

The clashes took place in several rounds from 10.30am to 1pm on Friday 22 May at Char Jasimuddin and the area next to Baluchar bridge in the upazila's Baluchar union.

According to police and local sources, a dispute had long been running between the local Shahid Baul group and the Khokon Sarkar group (Moktar Hossain and Suruzzaman Sarkar) over the lease of Baluchar cattle market and local dominance. This led to an exchange of words, and on Friday morning people from both sides took up local weapons and clashed. There were chases and counter-chases and brick-throwing, turning the whole area into a battlefield.

During the clash Shakil Sarkar, 27, Asfak Sarkar, 48, and Hridoy Sarkar, 25, were hit by spears. They were rescued in critical condition and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Another seven to nine people were injured and treated locally.

Baluchar union parishad chairman Awlad Hossain said the clash was mainly over local dominance. Several people were hurt, and the situation is now under police control.

Confirming the incident, Sirajdikhan police station officer-in-charge (OC) Abdul Hannan said: "There were several rounds of clashes between two groups over the lease of the cattle market and dominance. Police went to the spot on receiving the news and brought the situation under control. The situation is now normal. Those involved will be identified and legal action will be taken quickly."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.