A clash broke out between two rival factions of a local unit of BNP over paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the central Shaheed Minar in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria on Friday morning.
The clash soon resulted in chases and counter chases between the supporters of both sides wielding local weapons which left at least 20 people injured.
According to police, Nuruzzaman Chowdhury, convener and Anish Thakur, joint convener of BNP's newly formed committee in Sarail upazila led a section of local party leaders and activists to pay their respects at the central Shaheed Minar in the upazila at 8am.
At one point, the leaders and activists split into two groups following an altercation between the incumbent and former leaders of the upazila unit while placing floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar at the same time.
Policemen in the vicinity of the Shaheed Minar baton-charged on the hooligans in an attempt to control the situation. But as the situation worsened, additional police forces had to be deployed.
Eventually, police managed to defuse the situation during which at least 20 people including Sarail police station OC Nazmul Alam and 10 other policemen were injured. They were subsequently given first-aid.
Confirming the matter, Brahmanbaria Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sarail Circle) Anisur Rahman said that six hooligans were arrested from the spot along with local weapons.
Legal action will be taken against the culprits after an investigation into the incident, he added.
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