The two-hour long clashes between the supporters of lawmaker Mosharraf Hossain Mongu and nomination seeking central BNP secretary for law affairs advocate Joynul Abedin created panic in the area.

However, the meeting was held on time at 4:45pm after police, Rab (Rapid Action Battalion), and other law enforcers brought the situation under control.

Witnesses said several hundred followers of Joynul group wearing red headbands assembled and took control of Muladi Degree College ground at about 1:10pm. When the followers of Mongu group tried to enter the venue, Joynul group chased them out.

Following the incident, a series of clashes, chases and counter chases ensued that continued until the arrival of the prime minister at the meeting ground.

Thirteen of the wounded were admitted to Muladi Upazila Health Complex.

They are -- police constables Abdus Sattar, Abdur Rashid, Altab Hossain, Fazle Ali Khan, Shahjahan, Md Ali Sardar, Wazed Ali Howladar of Mongu group and Miraj, Mohiuddin, Rashid Sikdar, Montu of Joynul group and teenagers Alamin and Bachhu.

Joynul was forced to leave the stage by other leaders after the meeting started upon arrival of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The meeting was presided over by Abdus Sattar Khan, president of Muladi municipal BNP and chairman of the municipality with lawmaker Mongu as chief speaker.

These two factions of BNP of Hizla-Muladai (Barisal-3) constituency clashed several times earlier.

Tension had been running high in the town since the declaration of the Muladi visit programme of the BNP chairperson with both the groups' showdowns including processions, gatherings, hoisting banners and festoons, constructing welcome gates etc.

Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Muladi Police Station, was stand released on Thursday and transferred to Patuakhali police lines for having failed to control the showdowns of Joynul group.

Abdul Hannan, OC of Patuakhali Sadar Police Station, who took over from him on Friday said that the situation is under control and additional police forces have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.