Brahmanbaria: A widespread riot broke out in Brahmanbaria town on Monday evening that has left at least 20 wounded, including several policemen.

Students of the municipal town’s largest seminary are fighting against traders of district council market and activists of Chhatra League, students’ body backed by the ruling Awami League.  

The riot was going on when this report was filed at 10:30pm.

Police have fired several hundred shots and tear gas shells to reinstate law and order.

Local people said two students of Jamia Islamia Yunusia Madrasa, which is the largest seminary of the town, got into argument with Rony, owner of Bijoy Telecom shop set up at Zilla Parishad Market. The students left the place threatening Rony of severe consequence. They went back hours later with hundreds of their fellows and vandalised several shops, including that of Rony’s.

Later traders chased the seminary students and beat up a few of them. The clash turned into a riot when Chhatra League activists joined the traders and Kandipara inhabitants supported seminary students.

The rioters blasted more than a hundred crude bombs on TA Road. Seminary students set fire to tyres on the roads to block the entry of opponents into their area. Police took position to tackle the both sides. But sporadic clashes are still going on in the town.

Brahmanbaria police officer-in-charge MA Masud did not respond to calls. However, assistant police superintendent Taposh Ranjan Bose said till then eight to ten policemen were injured and the riot was still going on.