At least 20 people including five policemen sustained injuries as a clash broke out between supporters of an Awami League candidate and an independent candidate in Saltha upazila of Faridpur-2 constituency during campaigning for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election.
Locals said supporters of independent candidate Jamal Hossain Mia and Awami League nominated candidate Shahdab Akbar Labu Chowdhury locked into an altercation over seeking votes in Jadunandi Bazar of Saltha upazila on Monday morning.
As the news spread, at least 500 to 600 people from both groups turned the clash into a big one with locally made weapons, leaving at least 20 people from both groups, including five policemen, injured.
The injured were admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital and Muksudpur Health Complex.
Saltha Police Station Sub-Inspector Parimal Kumar Bishwas said that on information, police rushed to the spot and fired 25 rounds of blank shots to bring the situation under control. Five policemen, SI Shariful Islam, Abu Raihan Noor, Abdul Halim, Constable Raju Hossain and Babu Mia, were injured while trying to control the clash.
The police also said that the atmosphere in the area is calm now. Three people have been arrested in this connection.