At least 50 people were injured in a clash between two rival groups over land dispute in Romjanpur area of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj yesterday.

Quoting villagers, police said there has been a longstanding rivalry between one Pradip Sarkar and Prabindra Sarkar of the village over the ownership of a piece of land.

According to eyewitnesses and police sources, an altercation broke out between their supporters around 10:00am.

Soon afterwards, they started attacking each other with sticks. The clash gradually spread over the village and adjacent areas, said police.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control after two hours. They fired rubber bullets and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the groups, said SM Ataur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Nabiganj Police Station.

“Around 50 people from both the sides were injured in the clash,” he added.

Of the injured, ten were admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital, 15 to Nabiganj Upazila Health Complex and private clinics. The rest were given first aid.

Police remained deployed in the area, said the OC.

No case was lodged till filing of this report as of 5:00pm.