At least 30 individuals were injured in a clash following an altercation between two teenagers during a rally marking the 46th anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in Pabna's Bera upazila on Wednesday.
The incident took place in the afternoon and escalated into a violent clash among party activists. Among the injured, two remain in critical condition.
The situation prompted the deployment of two platoons of army personnel along with law enforcement officers from Bera, Santhia, and Aminpur police stations to restore order.
According to local and police sources, Bera Municipal Chhatra Dal organized a pre-scheduled rally as part of their anniversary celebrations. The rally began in the afternoon, passing through Bera Bazar and heading toward Kader Doctor Mor. However, as the tail end of the rally reached Dhaniyahat Mosque, a competition to move forward ensued, leading to an initial scuffle between activists from Bonogram and Shekhpara neighborhoods.
The altercation soon escalated into a full-scale clash when supporters from Hatigara joined the fray. For nearly two hours, opposing groups engaged in a fierce confrontation, during which around 50 individuals were injured.
The injured include Jahangir Molla, 48, convener of the municipal Jubo Dal, and two critically injured teenagers: Rahat Saudagar, 17, of Bonogram and Abu Hanif, son of Pintu Mia. They were transferred to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for treatment. Other injured individuals received primary care and included residents of Bonogram, Hatigara, and Shekhpara.
To control the violence, Bera Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Morshedul Islam led a team comprising army personnel and police. They brought the situation under control by 1:30 PM.
Bera Police Station officer-in-charge Oliur Rahman stated, "Police from Bera, Santhia, and Aminpur stations, supported by two platoons of army personnel, dispersed the groups and restored order. The situation is now under control, and we are working to maintain peace in the area."
Authorities are investigating the incident to prevent further unrest and ensure safety in the community.
