Noakhali turns into a battlefield over dominance, 60 injured

In Noakhali’s Sonaimuri, Nadna Bazar has turned into a battlefield due to clashes between villagers from two sides over dominance. At least 50 shops have been damaged in vandalism, looting and arson. According to local sources, at least 50-60 people from both sides have been injured in the incident. The clash took place in the Nadna Bazar area of ​​Nadna Union of the upazila around 7 pm on Tuesday (December 9).
The situation in the area has been tense since Wednesday (December 10) morning after the clash. Most of the shops are closed due to panic. Business and commerce in the market has practically come to a standstill. This morning, locals said that there has been a long-standing dispute between Uttar Shaktala and Dakshin Shaktala villages of Nadna Union over dominance. The people of the two villages are divided due to this dispute. Currently, four cases related to this are pending in the court.
According to locals, on December 5, there was an argument between the two sides over chairs at a social event in Nadna Bazar. As a result, the clash started that day. The next day, on the morning of December 6, a young man named Hridoy from Uttar Shaktala was beaten up and seriously injured.
The situation became more heated on the night of December 8. That day, the motorcycle of Gias Uddin, a rural doctor from Dakshin Shaktala, was set on fire. Then there were allegations of vandalism and looting at Ripon’s salon, Babul’s fruit shop and Zahir’s house. In continuation of this, the clash intensified last night. Eyewitnesses said that at around 10 pm, people from both sides got involved in a clash with country-made weapons in Nadna Bazar. At one stage, vandalism, looting and arson started in one shop after another.
The affected shops include rural doctor Gias Uddin’s drug store, Jamal’s cosmetic shop, Maharaj’s fast food, Sumon Electronics, Jamal and Mohin’s mobile shop, Taher’s cloth shop, Anwar’s grocery shop, Firoz’s workshop, Mohin Patwari grocery shop, Ma Electronic and Telecom and Forkan Su Store, among several other business establishments.
Traders said that in addition to looting the goods from the shops, some were set on fire. They estimate that the loss was around Tk 2 crore. Many traders lost everything in a moment and became destitute. After receiving information during the clash, an army team reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Later, law enforcement agencies intensified patrols in the area.
The affected traders, Mohin and Babul, complained, “There was a fear of a clash between the two neighborhoods for a long time. We have repeatedly informed the administration, but no effective action has been taken. Now the shops of innocent traders have been burnt and looted. We are suffering from extreme insecurity with our families.” The locals alleged that the police were struggling to control the situation during the clash. They claimed that no one has been arrested so far.
In this regard, Sonaimuri Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Kabir Hossain said, “The situation was brought under control immediately after the incident. A case has been filed in this regard. Efforts are on to identify and arrest those involved. The area is currently calm.” Meanwhile, the local administration and law enforcement agencies have increased surveillance on the situation. However, the affected traders have demanded immediate arrest of the culprits, compensation and permanent peace.