A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader died and at least 15 more were shot when local units of Awami League and BNP clashed in Natore Sadar upazila on Monday morning.
The incident took place during a nationwide blocakde programme of the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
Local BNP called a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the district for Tuesday. Hours after the announcement, they extended the hartal until 6pm Thursday.
Witnesses said local Awami League and BNP engaged in clashes in Kanaikhali area at around 11am. Both parties exchanged live gunfire at scene.
The deceased was Saifuzzaman Sujan, 24, son of Mohammad Salamat from Kanaikhali. He has been claimed as a joint secretary of town Chhatra Dal and a member of district JCD.
The body was being kept at Natore Baptist Mid Missions Hospital.
Natore Sadar police Officer-in-Charge Aslam Uddin acknowledged of the casualty. “The incident is of a shootout between the two parties.”
Natore BNP Secretary Aminul Haque claimed local Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked on their peaceful procession.
“Sujan died and at least 15 others were shot,” he said. District JCD Organising Secretary Dalim, members Tushar and Ripon have been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Arif, Roni and the others have been sent to Natore Missions Hospital, Sadar hospital and other clinics, he added.
He announced the hartal for Tuesday.
However, local Jubo League Organisng Secretary Shafiqul Islam denied of attacking first. “They attacked and we retaliated. Then the shootout began.”
OC Aslam Uddin said the situation was under control afterwards.
