At least 30 people were injured in clashes between two rival groups fighting for control of Moyendiya market, located on the border of Boalmari and Saltha upazilas in Faridpur.
The violence began Saturday with an attack on the market, followed by a seven-and-a-half-hour clash on Sunday near Dhuljora Bridge in Parameswardi Union, lasting from afternoon until 10:30 pm. Several seriously injured victims were sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.
The dispute centers on two BNP leaders: Abdul Mannan Matubbar, the dismissed Parameswardi Union chairman who defected from the Awami League, and Mushfiq Billah Jihad from Saltha's Khardia village. Tensions escalated after August 5 when Matubbar's supporters were allegedly driven out and Jihad's group took control of the market. The rivalry reignited after Matubbar returned ahead of national elections.
Saturday's clash reportedly began after a dispute involving alleged extortion, injuring both Jihad and a local Jubo Dal leader. Each side accuses the other of attacking with local weapons and demanding money from shopkeepers. Traders have raised repeated extortion complaints against both factions.
Police arrested two people connected to the attack on Jihad. Officer-in-Charge Mostafizur Rahman said police intervened Sunday night to control the situation, which remains tense but calm as of Monday morning. Additional police have been deployed to prevent further clashes, and legal action is underway.
Local residents and traders remain fearful that violence could resume.
