AT LEAST 25 people were injured in a clash between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party over local dominance at Gangni upazila in Meherpur on Monday night.

The incident occurred at about 8:30pm at Saharbati village.

According to police and local sources, tensions began earlier in the day when a group led by BNP leader Dabir Uddin allegedly assaulted the parents of Abbas Ali, a union parishad member affiliated with the Awami League.

In protest, ward no. 9 BNP president of Saharbati union, Forman Ali, confronted the group.

The situation escalated when supporters of Dabir Uddin reportedly attacked Forman Ali, leading to further tensions.

Later that night, the supporters of the two groups swooped on each other with locally made sharp weapons, leaving 25 people of the both groups injured on the spot.

Local people rescued the injured and took them to Gangni Upazila Health Complex and nearby medical facilities.

Contacted, Dabir Hossain claimed that his family had long been subjected to oppression by Abbas Ali, alleging that their cattle had been taken and they were prevented from harvesting crops.

However, Abbas Ali denied the allegations and accused Dabir Uddin of extortion, stating that money had been demanded repeatedly since August 5, 2024.

He further claimed that the attack on his parents occurred after he refused to pay.

His father is currently receiving treatment at Kushtia General Hospital, he said.

Confirming the clash, Gangni police station officer-in-charge Uttam Kumar Das said that a team of police, being informed, went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to prevent further unrest, he added.