UNB, Faridpur :
At least 20 people were injured in a clash between Awami League and BNP activists over the ownership of a beel (water body) at Raybar village in Boalmari upazila on Tuesday morning.
Locals said, former member of Shekhar union parishad Usha Kanto leased out a portion of the water body to Kabir Khan, a supporter of Boalmari upazila Awami League vice-president Abul Kalam Azad, for one year in return of Tk 1.10 lakh.
Hafiz Karikor, a follower of Shekhar union parishad chairman and Boalmari
upazila Chhatra Dal president M Raisul Islam Polash, went for grabbing the beel parts a few days which went to arbitration.
Arbitration took place at the house of Kabir Khan on Monday evening to settle the dispute.
However, the supporters of Polash allegedly beat two followers of Abul Kalam after the arbitration.
On Tuesday morning, some supporters of Abul Kalam vandalised the house of Abul Khayer, another supporter of Polash.
Later, some 200 activists of Polash armed with sticks and local weapons swooped on the followers of Abul Kalam at Raybar village, triggering a clash.
A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee that left at least 20 people injured from the both sides.
Some 10 houses and 25 shops were also vandalised and looted during the clash.
On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control.
Four of the injured were whisked off to hospitals. Officer-in-charge of Boalmari Police Station AKM Aminul Haque confirmed the incident.
