50 injured in Bhairab clash

At least 50 people, including police officers, were injured in a fierce clash between two groups over a football match in Bhairab port town of Kishoreganj on Thursday night. Several shops on the platform of Bhairab Bazar Railway Station were also vandalised.

Five trains were stranded at various stations due to the clashes, which began on Thursday night. The situation was later brought under control after a joint operation by the police, RAB, and the army.

After being suspended for a few hours, the intercity Godhuli and Kishoreganj-bound Egarsindur Godhuli trains departed Bhairab station for their respective destinations under the protection of law enforcement agencies.

Locals said a football match was recently held between youths from Jagannathpur and Panchabati areas in Bhairab port town. During the match, a fight broke out between some youths from the two villages, which was later resolved locally.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhairab Rail Police Station, Sayeed, said, “Two parties got into a clash over a football game. After sustained efforts, the situation was brought under control. Police, RAB, and Army personnel are stationed to ensure the security of the Bhairab Bazar Railway Station area.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Bhairab, KM Mamunur Rashid, said, “The clash resulted in the suspension of train services and damage to government property. Legal action will be taken against those involved in the incident.”

However, allegations arose that some youths from Jagannathpur had been beaten when they went to the Panchabati area on Thursday evening. This led to a clash between people from the two villages around 8:30 pm.

As the clash continued, law enforcement forces had to intervene. Of the injured, 20 were treated at Bhairab 100-Bedded Government Hospital, while five seriously injured youths were sent to Dhaka for better treatment.

By around 1:30 am, the situation was brought under control with the efforts of joint forces, including additional police personnel, and train movement was normalized. Earlier, Dhaka-bound trains were stranded at Godhuli, Bhairab Railway Bridge area, Parabat, and Egarsindur Godhuli Daulatkandi stations, while Chittagong-bound Chittagong Mail and Turna Nishitha trains were halted at other stations. Thousands of passengers were stranded during this time.

Kamrul, an aggrieved passenger on the Egarsindur Godhuli train, said, “Thousands of passengers had to sit for hours due to a trivial incident. Many foreign-bound passengers missed their flights due to train delays, which also put their lives in uncertainty.”

Bhairab Railway Station Master Yusuf said the clash began around 8:30 pm. “Considering the safety of the passengers, train movement was temporarily stopped.

Later, around 1:30 am, the situation was brought under control with the help of law enforcement agencies, and train operations resumed. At that time, five trains were stranded at different stations,” he added.