Two factions of BNP locked into a clash in Babuganj upazila of Barisal district over arranging Iftar party on the same venue on Friday.
At least four BNP activists were injured in the clash of which three received bullet wounds.
The administration later imposed section 144 in the area and controlled the situation by charging baton and firing 3 rounds of rubber bullets.
The law enforcers also arrested three BNP activists from Barisal-Dhaka highway in Rahamatpur Bridge area of the upazila.
The arrestees are Pappu, Khalulur Rahman and Zamaluddin.
Police, administration and local sources said BNP and Jubo Dal faction led by Sultan Mahmud Khan applied to the administration for permission to organise an Iftar party on Babuganj degree college premises on Friday.
Rival BNP and upazila Jubo Dal faction and followers of central BNP vice-chairman Selima Rahaman also applied for an Iftar party at the same place on the day.
Local administration permitted Sultan Mahmud as first applicant to hold the Iftar party on the venue, but the rival faction denied shifting their programme to alternative place, said police.
Under the circumstances Bakahid Hossain, upazila nirbahi officer, issued an order to impose section 144 from 5pm to 12:30am, said Md Shahidul Alam, district magistrate and deputy commissioner, Barisal.
The followers of Selima Rahman took position at different points of Barisal-Dhaka highway and on Barisal-Lakutia-Babuganj roads to prevent the Sultan Mahmud faction from joining the Iftar party.
Both factions engaged in a clash and chase and counter-chase, blocking the traffic on highways and creating panic in the surrounding areas.
Police charged baton and fired 3 rounds of rubber bullets to disperse the warring factions.
AKM Ehsanullah, district police superintendent, said police were deployed in the area to maintain law and order and ensure safety of the vehicles and passengers on the highway.
