One killed, 20 injured in violent clash between rival villages in Faridpur

A young man was killed and at least 20 others, including police officers and journalists, were injured in a violent clash between residents of two rival villages over local dominance in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila on Tuesday night (June 30).

The unrest, which lasted from around 7:00pm to 9:30pm, erupted at Bhanga Gol Chattar and the Southpara Bus Stand area along the Dhaka-Barishal Highway, triggering widespread panic, vandalism and looting.

The deceased, Sumon Munshi, 22, son of Milon Munshi of Kapuria Sadardi village, owned a local fast-food shop.

Sumon's family said that he was struck by gunfire during the clash and later died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being referred from Bhanga Upazila Health Complex.

According to local residents, the violence began with an altercation between youths from Kapuria Sadardi and Hasamdia villages over a longstanding dispute. The confrontation quickly escalated as hundreds of residents from both villages, joined by people from nearby areas, armed themselves with locally made weapons and engaged in running battles on both sides of the highway.

During the violence, 25 to 26 shops in the Southpara Bus Stand area were vandalised and looted. The clash also disrupted traffic on the Dhaka-Barishal Highway for several hours.

Police said officers responding to the incident came under attack from brick-throwing mobs, leaving several personnel injured while attempting to restore order.

Doctors at Bhanga Upazila Health Complex said Sumon sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound, with the projectile entering through his jaw and exiting through the side of his head. He suffered massive blood loss before being transferred to Dhaka, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim's cousin alleged that an armed member of the rival group opened indiscriminate fire, fatally wounding Sumon.

Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bhanga Police Station, said, "Several police officers were injured during the clash. The situation is now under control, although tensions remain high."

"An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash and the fatal shooting," he added.