Cocktail detonations leave 15 injured in Shariatpur clash

At least 15 individuals were injured in a violent clash between two rival groups of Jajira upazila in Shariatpur district on Saturday. 

The conflict, rooted in a long-standing power struggle between the supporters of local leaders Salauddin Master and Jalil Madbor, escalated into a bloody confrontation involving the detonation of over a hundred homemade cocktail bombs.  

The clash erupted on Saturday morning at Kaziarchar area of Bilaspur union, leaving several villagers injured, including one whose hand was severed and another who suffered critical injuries from a bomb explosion.  

The injured have been identified as Maruf, 25, Jotsna, 25, Fatema Begum, 55, Bina, 45, Hasan Munshi, 50, Sojib, 22, Nayeem, 19, Sakib, 19, Kamal, 19, Bijoy, 19, Rezaul Bepari, 19, Shohor Ali, 50, Rifat, 19, Abu Alem, 42, and Shuvo Bepari, 19.  

Of the injured, Maruf and Hasan Munshi have been transferred to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment. Shohor Ali remains admitted at Jajira Upazila Health Complex, while others received primary care and left the hospital.  

Jajira Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Dulal Akand confirmed the incident, stating that the clash was fueled by a power struggle between two factions. Law enforcement personnel rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. The situation is now reportedly stable, and an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and take appropriate legal action. 

According to locals, there has been longstanding tension between Bilaspur Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abdul Kuddus Bepari and local Awami Jubo League leader Jalil Madbor. The rivalry has led to multiple clashes in the past. Following a violent episode on August 5 last year, both leaders were arrested and jailed, offering temporary relief to the locals. However, Saturday's violence, involving supporters of Kuddus Bepari’s ally Salauddin Master and Jalil Madbor, has reignited tensions in the area.  

In response to the violence, police, RAB, and members of the military arrived at the scene to restore order.  

Shohor Ali, one of the injured, who is currently hospitalized, said he had come to the area from Dhaka and was beaten without provocation while observing the clash.  

Attempts to contact Salauddin Master and Jalil Madbor for comments were unsuccessful.  

Chairman Abdul Kuddus Bepari stated that he had informed the police ahead of time about the possibility of violence between the two groups and denied any involvement in the incident.