A clash erupted Sunday between local Jamaat and BNP leaders and activists over a dispute regarding the management committee of a secondary school in Mirpur, Kushtia.

At least 18 people from both sides were injured in the incident at Burapara village of Amala Union in Mirpur upazila.

The injured are receiving treatment at Kushtia General Hospital and the Mirpur Upazila Health Complex.

Around 3pm, local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists organized a protest meeting at the Burapara High School field. A clash broke out between them and  supporters of BNP leader Rashed Mahmud Nasir during the meeting.

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Mominul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mirpur Police Station, said, "There was a dispute between Mukul Ali, the Amir of Amla Union Jamaat, and BNP leader Rashed Mahmud Nasir over the ad hoc committee of the local Burapara Secondary School. This led to the clash between the two sides today."

OC Mominul Islam also stated, "The situation is now under control. Additional police have been deployed at the scene. We will take action against the perpetrators based on an investigation if a written complaint is received."

Sujauddin Joarddar, Kushtia District Jamaat Secretary, said, "The   union Jamaat Amir's  name was proposed for the position in the school's ad hoc committee. However, BNP leader Nasir had been threatening to remove him. In protest, Jamaat activists held a meeting, but BNP leaders and activists attacked them. Many of our people were injured in the attack."

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Rahmat Ali Rabban, member secretary of Mirpur upazila BNP convening committee , said, "Nasir was once a leader of the Chhatra Dal. Now he is a BNP activist. However, since this is a local dispute, I don’t want to comment on it."

Dr. Hasan Imam, the Residential Medical Officer (RMO) at Kushtia General Hospital, said, "Among the patients being treated in the hospital, three are in critical condition. One of them, an elderly person, is severely injured. All of them have head injuries."