Witnesses said an armed group, led by former BNP lawmaker Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan, launched an attack on a rally called by former Jamaat MP Quamruzzaman at about 11:00am.

M Shajahan, president of Chhatra Shibir Nangolkot upazila unit, was hit by bullets during the clash and died instantly.

At one stage, the attackers set the house of Quamruzzaman afire. Some shops and houses were also ransacked.

Locals said both sides exploded cocktails and exchanged over 100 rounds of bullets during the clash that continued for an hour.

Our Sirajganj correspondent reported that at least 22 people were injured in a clash between the BNP and BJP men at Shahjadpur upazila headquarters yesterday.

Police and local administration sources said the trouble began at around 12:30pm when the BNP launched an attack on a procession led by BJP leader and former MP Dr Abdul Matin.

Both sides used lethal weapons and blasted cocktails during chase and counter-chase. Police charged batons on the rioting groups to bring the situation under control.

The injured are undergoing treatment at Sirajganj Sadar Hospital and Shahjadpur health complex.

Meanwhile, local administration yesterday imposed Section 144 in and around Kazipur upazila headquarters to avert clash between the BNP and Awami League as the two rival political parties called meetings at he same venue at same time.

According to our Noakhali correspondent, 20 people were injured as two factions of local BNP clashed at Soniamuri upazila headquarters yesterday.

Witnesses said the clash erupted when the supporters of Barkat Ullah Bulu, former adviser to the women and children affairs ministry, attacked a rally of the supporters of former lawmaker M Hashem at about 3:30pm.

The injured are undergoing treatment at upazila health complex and clinics.

Local administration imposed Section 144 in and around the upazila headquarters to avert further clash. Additional police have been deployed.