At least 30 people, including madrasa students and police officers, were injured after a dispute over loud music at a cultural event at the Police Lines in Brahmanbaria escalated into clashes and a baton charge.

The incident occurred at around 11:30pm on Tuesday (18 August) at the Police Lines in the Paschim Medda area of Brahmanbaria town.

The injured were taken to Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital and other hospitals for treatment.

According to police, madrasa students and local residents, the district police had organised the cultural programme at the Police Lines to mark the arrival of Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Quddus Chowdhury.

The programme continued after the DIG attended the event and left the venue.

Several students of Darul Arqam Islamia Madrasa reportedly went to the Police Lines and requested that the volume of the music be lowered. An argument subsequently broke out between the students and police personnel.

The situation deteriorated after more than 100 madrasa students entered the Police Lines, according to those present there.

At one point, police resorted to a baton charge to bring the situation under control. Witnesses said the madrasa students also threw bricks and stones at police, leading to a chase and counter-chase and further clashes between the two sides.

The ensuing violence left at least 30 people, including students and police personnel, injured.

Several students of Darul Arqam Islamia Madrasa said they had examinations scheduled for Wednesday and that the loud music was disrupting their studies. They said a few students initially went to the Police Lines to request that the volume be reduced.