Over 50 people were injured and at least 15 homes and shops were looted, vandalized and set on fire following a violent clash between residents of two neighborhoods in Bera Upazila, Pabna on Sunday evening.
The conflict erupted around 7:00 PM in the Nazim Bazar area after a ward-level football tournament match at Bera BB Pilot Model High School ended in a 1-1 draw. A dispute over a penalty shootout escalated into a fierce confrontation between residents of Sardarpara (Ward 2) and Bongram (Ward 9).
The altercation quickly turned into widespread chase-and-counter-chase attacks. Rioters vandalized and torched multiple properties in the locality. Over 50 injured individuals were rushed to the Bera Upazila Health Complex and local clinics for treatment.
To restore order the police from Bera Model Police Station supported by forces from Santhia, Sujanagar, Pabna Police Lines and CRB fired tear gas shells and blank rounds.
Bera Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rulant Chakma and Bera Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nayan Kumar Sarkar confirmed that law enforcement brought the situation under control by 9:00 PM. Additional police personnel remain deployed in the area to prevent further violence. No arrests have been made yet and administrative monitoring is ongoing.
