During a visit to the villages, about 12 km off Magura town, this correspondent found yesterday that many villagers had already fled their homes fearing further clashes and police harassment.

Sources said a long-standing rivalry to establish supremacy at the local Shatrujitpur Bazaar prevailed between the chairman of Shatrujitpur Union Parishad (UP) Munshi Mashiul Azam Bachchu and member of the same UP Abdul Motalib.

On Monday night, supporters of Bachchu Munshi and Motalib locked in a clash following an altercation injuring 14 people, three of them seriously.

Both the groups used lethal weapons during the clash.

The three seriously injured were identified as Sagor Biswas, 25, UP member Jamal Sikder, 35 and Azim Sheikh 50.

Police from the local camp rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

On Tuesday morning, both the groups again locked in a fierce clash injuring at least 35 people and went on rampage in the villages which continued till evening. The seriously injured were admitted to Magura Sadar Hospital and different clinics.

Police and locals said, supporters of both the feuding groups swooped on the houses of their rivals and looted valuables as well as foodgrains, cattle and poultry birds.

Above one hundred houses of Shatrujitpur, Dharmadah and Kalupara villages were destroyed in the attacks and counter attacks.

Police reportedly reached the spot too late during the clash and plundering on Tuesday. None was arrested till filing of this report at 4.30 pm yesterday.

Despite repeated attempts, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Magura Sadar Police Station could not be reached for his comments.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Magura Mian Lutfur Rahman Choudhury, however, said he ordered deployment of police in the villages to bring the situation under control. He assured proper action against the culprits.