Pabna, July 26 (V7N) – One person has died and several others injured following a violent clash in Bera upazila of Pabna district, Bangladesh, triggered by a longstanding dispute over the construction of a mosque extension. The violence has since escalated, resulting in the torching and looting of multiple homes.

Mohammad Hadis, 40, died on Saturday afternoon while undergoing treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura. He had sustained critical injuries during an earlier clash on Friday over the construction of a veranda attached to a newly built mosque in Tarapur village, under Chakla Union of Bera upazila.

Hadis, originally from Karamja village in Santhia upazila, had been residing at his in-laws’ house in Tarapur village. Local sources confirmed he was a supporter of the newly constructed mosque, which had been at the center of an ongoing feud between two factions within the community.

The conflict dates back to a dispute over a religious practice during a post-prayer Milad Mahfil (Islamic gathering) at the older mosque, where one group supported performing Qiyam (a traditional standing prayer). Led by then-cashier Matin Haji, the pro-Qiyam group went on to build a new mosque just 100 yards away from the original one. Tensions had been simmering ever since.

Matters came to a head on Friday morning when construction of a veranda on the new mosque began. Supporters of the older mosque objected, leading to a violent altercation involving sharp weapons, spears, and sticks. At least 20 people were injured in the clash, with five of them – including Hadis – being rushed to hospitals in Pabna and Bogura. Hadis succumbed to his injuries the following day.

News of his death reignited hostilities in the village. By early afternoon, renewed violence broke out as angry mobs set fire to at least 15 homes belonging to members of the opposing faction. Reports also confirm incidents of looting and vandalism.

Local residents alleged a delayed response from emergency services. Despite multiple calls, both the landline and mobile numbers of the local fire service were reportedly unreachable. Firefighters arrived at the scene approximately 45 minutes after the fires began.

Police from Bera Model Police Station intervened to bring the situation under control. Officer-in-Charge Oliur Rahman confirmed the fresh violence and stated that police and fire services managed to contain the blaze and restore order by around 4:15 PM. One individual, identified as Selim, has been detained in connection with the unrest. However, no official complaints had been filed by either faction as of Saturday evening.

Local authorities have increased patrols in the area in an effort to prevent further escalation. The situation remains tense, and a full investigation is expected to follow.

This tragic incident underscores the fragile state of inter-community relations and how unresolved religious or social disputes can escalate into large-scale violence in rural areas of Bangladesh.

END/MSR/SMA/