At least 50 people were injured in Natherpetua Bazar in a clash between two groups of Awami League activists in Monohorganj village, Comilla, early yesterday over the distribution of money collected from gambling.
The groups also torched at least 35 shops set up on the fair ground.
Local sources said an altercation had taken place between rival Awami League groups over the distribution of money collected from gambling, at about 9pm.
Later, the clash spread among the residents of the Hatimara and Binaygachhi villages, leaving 50 people of both groups injured.
Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control with baton charges and by firing blank shots.
The injured were sent to Comilla Sadar Hospital while many received primary treatment.
At one stage of the clash, inhabitants of Hatimara village set 35 shops on fire and vandalised 30 more.
On receiving this information, firefighters from Laksam and Sonamuri upazilas rushed to the spot and doused the fire. Traders claimed that valuables worth about Tk2 crores were gutted in the fire.
The firefighter units managed to extinguish the fire by around 3am.
Local people said clashes over trivial matters have become a common phenomenon at Natherpetua Bazar.
They urged the district administration to set up a police out post in a bid to avoid frequent clashes.
Md Harun-or-Rashid, officer-in-charge of Monohorganj Sadar police station, said additional police have been deployed to the locality to avoid any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, at least 20 people, including three women were injured following a clash between two rival groups in Baralidah village under Sripur upazila, Magura.
Police said the clash broke out in the morning between the two rival groups of villagers over irrigation of crop fields in the area.