Two people were killed and several others injured in a clash between two rival groups in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla today (16 January).

The incident took place around noon in Aliara village under Boxgonj union, where the victims were shot and attacked with sharp weapons.

The deceased were Saleh Ahmed and Delwar Hossain Nayan, both residents of the village.

Nangalkot Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Arifur Rahman said several people sustained injuries in the clash, adding that some of them were admitted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital and other nearby hospitals.

He mentioned that army personnel and additional police forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Boxgonj Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rashid Bhuiyan said he had been holding meetings with the feuding groups over the past four days in an effort to prevent violence.

"I warned them again this morning not to get involved in any clash, but they did not listen," he said.

According to local sources, tensions in the area have persisted since August 3 last year, when former UP member Alauddin was abducted in a CNG-run autorickshaw and shot dead.

Although several attempts were made at the local level to resolve the dispute, the conflict continued to resurface from time to time, eventually leading to today's clash.

Cumilla / clash / rival groups