The leaders and activists of Awami League and BNP locked in a clash in Patuakhali town this morning.
Police had to charge batons and fire teargas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
As part of the central programme, BNP was supposed to hold a public rally in front of Patuakhali district BNP office at 10:00am.
Just before the rally was about to start, a clash broke out between the activists of BNP and Awami League and its associate bodies BCL and Jubo League, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.
District BNP member secretary Snenashu Sarkar Kutty said, "We were trying to hold a peaceful rally but they [AL men] swooped on us. More than half a dozen of our leaders and activists were injured."
On the other hand, district Awami League president Kazi Alamgir Hossain said, "Chhatra Dal members attacked the peace rally led by Chhatra League president Saiful Islam in Patuakhali Sabuj Bagh intersection. Ten of our activists were injured in the attack."
The injured were sent to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Confirming the incident, Patuakhali Superintendent of Police Md Saidul Islam said the situation is under control now.
