At least seven people were killed and more than 100 others injured in a fierce gunbattle between supporters of rival village leaders in central Bangladesh, reports said on Sunday.
The gunfight erupted on Saturday in a remote village in the central Munshiganj district between supporters of an incumbent village chairman and his rivals. Police rushed to the area and fired shots to break up the fighting.
The situation is normal on Sunday with local tension sparked by the sudden flareup largely subsiding, Munshiganj district chief Qamrun Nesa said after a visit to the area.
Dhaka's newspapers said that five of the victims died on the scene and two others in hospital. Among the injured were the area's police chief and also the administrative officer.
Violent clashes between village rivals are often reported in Bangladesh.
In January last, fighting over a prime fishing area in southern Laxmipur district left four people dead, 20 injured and 10 arrested.
Bureau Report
