25 injured as meat distribution dispute sparks clash in Faridpur

At least 25 people were injured in a clash over the distribution of sacrificial meat in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila this morning, prompting villagers to skip Eid prayers and animal sacrifice. The incident took place around 8:00am at an Eidgah field in Purba Aruakandi village under Algi union, Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mizanur Rahman said. Upon information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, the OC said, adding that additional police personnel have been deployed in the area.

According to local residents and police, villagers in Purba Aruakandi are divided into two rival groups. Traditionally, the portion of Qurbani meat meant for poor people is collected and distributed collectively in the village. This year, however, a dispute arose over whether the meat would be distributed from the mosque or separately from individual households. Locals said the argument began shortly before Eid prayers and quickly escalated into tensions between the two groups.

Al Amin Islam, a member of ward 1 of Algi union in Bhanga upazila, said, at one stage, both factions skipped the Eid congregation and became involved in a clash using lethal weapons, bricks and sticks. Panic spread across the village during the chase and counter-chase, while four to five houses were vandalised, according to residents. At least 25 people were injured in the violence. Several were admitted to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex, while others received primary treatment there.

Tansiv Zubayer, Bhanga upazila health and family planning officer, told The Daily Star that eight injured people had been admitted to the hospital as of 1:25pm. Mujibor Molla, a member of Algi Union Parishad, described the incident as "unfortunate". "Such violence over a minor issue like meat distribution on the day of Eid is undesirable. We could not even complete the Eid prayers and animal sacrifice before the two groups clashed," he said.