At least 10 people were injured in clashes between two factions of the BNP in Lalmai upazila of Cumilla on Tuesday over a programme marking the party's founding anniversary.

The clashes, attacks and vandalism took place around Bagmara Railgate and adjoining areas in the afternoon.

The injured include supporters of Cumilla-6 MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury and Cumilla-10 MP Mobasher Alam Bhuiya.

According to eyewitnesses and BNP leaders, tensions between the two groups have increased since the national election.

The incident occurred when several BNP activists, including Upazila Matsyajibi Dal Convener Shahjahan, were allegedly obstructed while heading to a rally and discussion organised by the upazila BNP in Bagmara to mark the party's founding anniversary.

The obstruction led to attacks and counterattacks between the two groups. At one point, a private office of former district Olama Dal leader Maulana Zakir Hossain, a supporter of Mobasher Alam Bhuiya, was vandalised.

Upazila BNP General Secretary Yusuf Ali Mir Pintu, a supporter of Monirul Haque Chowdhury, alleged that supporters of Mobasher Alam attacked their peaceful programme, prompting his group to retaliate.

Efforts to contact Zakir Hossain for his comments were unsuccessful.

Lalmai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mizanur Rahman said police reached Bagmara market after receiving information about the programme.

“At one stage, activists of the two groups engaged in a scuffle. Additional police were deployed immediately and the situation was brought under control,” he said.