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A man has been killed and at least four others injured in a clash between supporters of two BNP leaders over paddy harvesting in Khulna’s Terokhada Upazila.
The incident took place on Saturday morning at Madhupur Uttarpara Beel, said Terokhada Police chief Md Shahidullah.
The deceased man was identified as 56-year-old Nur Alam.
Police said the clash broke out initially over a dispute related to paddy harvesting between supporters of former BNP Upazila joint convenor Shahidul Islam and followers of Madhupur Union BNP convention preparation committee convenor Saiful Mollah.
The verbal altercation intensified into a violent confrontation, involving locally made weapons and a chase-and-counter-chase situation.
Nur, reportedly a supporter of Saiful, was critically injured in the clash and later died on the way to Dhaka.
The injured include Hijmullah Sohel Rana, 40, Musa Sheikh, 30, Mofizur Rahman, 45, and Ali Hossain, 30.
They have been admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Officer Shahidullah said the long-standing rivalry between Shahidul and Saiful had fuelled tensions, leading to the clash.
Khulna Superintendent of Police Md Tajul Islam said police were present at the scene and operations were under way to arrest those involved.
Attempts to reach Shahidul by phone were unsuccessful as his mobile was switched off, while Saiful did not receive calls.
Chowdhury Fakhrul Islam Bulu, member secretary of Terkhada Upazila BNP, confirmed the clash was centered on harvesting paddy.
He claimed it was not political violence but said the party would investigate and take organisational action after inquiry.