The district unit of the AL has called for a half-day hartal in the town today protesting the incident.

Local sources said the clash ensued over joining the Awami League by BNP leaders and activists.

District AL General Secretary Advocate Motiur Rahman said about 100 leaders and workers of the BNP, led by Abdur Rahman, a neighbour of Deputy Minister for Food and Disaster Management Asadul Habib Dulu, joined the Awami League at a function at Kalirpat five months ago.

Since the joining, supporters of Dulu tried to persuade the BNP men to come back to the party, he said, alleging that the attack was carried in the morning.

Meanwhile, Saiful Islam, private secretary to Dulu, told newsmen over cellphone that the clash took place between the residents of Alokdighi and Bidyabagish villages over early announcement of sehri timing by a local mosque over the loudspeaker.

The incident has no political link, he said. Police picked up eight people and took them to the police station for interrogation.

The injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital and Rangpur Medical College Hospital. The condition of injured AL worker Ruhul Amin was stated to be critical.