A chase and counter-chase, followed by a cocktail explosion, occurred between two groups, the Palashbari Agricultural Products Production Association and the Panchashi Samiti, over the dominance of the Palashbari Pan Hati market in Gaibandha.
The incident took place at around 7:30 am on Thursday (June 11) in Panhati, Chotoshimultala, a town in the upazila. At that time, several tin houses in the market were vandalized and trees were cut down.
Police and locals said that there has been a dispute between the Palashbari Agricultural Products Production Association and the Palashbari Panchashi Samiti over the occupation of the Chota Shimultala Panhati in the municipal town of the upazila. There had been clashes between the two parties before this. In continuation of this, there was a chase and counter-chase between the two parties on Thursday morning. During this time, several cocktail explosions also occurred. Panic spread among pedestrians and locals due to the explosion of the cocktail.
Meanwhile, several videos of the incident went viral on social media soon after the incident. The video shows people from both sides standing on the Palashbari-Ghoraghat regional highway adjacent to Panhati in Chhotoshimultala area, throwing bricks and stones and engaging in a chase and counter-chase.
During this time, the video also shows a man holding a local weapon (Hasua) and a bamboo stick and chanting the words “Takbir-Allahu Akbar”. At the same time, several cocktails were detonated, causing panic among passersby and locals and people were seen running in all directions.
During this time, two trees in the market and several betel shops (canopies) in the market were also destroyed.
Confirming the matter, Palashbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sarwar Alam Khan said, “There was a chase and counter-chase between two parties in Panhati this morning. However, it is not certain whether there was a cocktail explosion. The situation is currently calm.”