Saltha (Faridpur) Representative:
People from two unions of Saltha upazila of Faridpur had announced a clash over a fight between school students over taking pictures during sports. On this occasion, on Sunday (February 2) morning, at least 10,000 people gathered with country-made weapons in Fulbaria Bazar of Ballabhdi union of Saltha upazila and Khardia area of Jadunandi union. However, with the joint efforts of the police and the army, the residents of the conflicting Ballabhdi and Jadunandi unions were saved from major violence. Later, the residents of the two unions returned home.
Local residents said that on Saturday (February 1) afternoon, a fight broke out between students from Khardia village of Jadunandi union and Fulbaria village of Ballabhdi union over a game at the Fulbaria High School grounds. Upon receiving the information, the police went to the spot and calmed the situation. However, the residents of both unions could not bring up the issue of the fight. Therefore, tension has arisen between the residents of both unions since the incident. At one stage, the leaders of both unions declared a clash at night.
According to the announcement, at least 6-7 thousand people gathered in Fulbaria Bazar on behalf of Ballabhdi Union, while 2-3 thousand people gathered in Khardia area on behalf of Jadunandi Union. At that time, they stored local weapons in the vicinity. Upon receiving the news, first Saltha Police Station and later the army went to the spot and made joint efforts to calm the situation.
Ballabhdi Union Parishad Chairman Md. Khandaker Saifur Rahman Shahin said, students from Khardia village beat up students from Fulbaria village for taking pictures during sports. Khardia village in Jadunandi union is very big. They do not consider anyone from other unions as human beings. So the people of our union were forced to gather to protest. However, despite the efforts of the UNO, OC, army and upazila BNP leaders, no one could get involved in the clash.
Jadunandi Union Parishad Chairman Md. Rafiq Molya said, "The incident has been resolved. The atmosphere in the area is now calm." However, he avoided asking why such preparations were made for the clash.
Saltha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Ataur Rahman said, on Saturday afternoon, there was a dispute between students at Fulbaria School over taking pictures while playing. At that time, students from Khardia village gathered and beat up students from Fulbaria village. Later, tension arose between the residents of both villages over the issue. At one stage, the incident reached the union level.
He said, "We tried to calm down by talking to the leaders of both unions all night. Still, on Sunday morning, at least 10,000 people from both unions prepared for a clash. Later, the police and the army jointly calmed the situation. Now the atmosphere in both unions is calm."
Saltha Upazila Executive Officer Md. Anichur Rahman Bali said, "I called the chairmen of both unions after receiving the news. The chairmen told me that they are also trying to ensure that no one else gets involved in the clash in any way."
Legislative Council
Saltha Faridpur
