Rangpur, June 21 (UNB) – A local Awami League leader was killed in a clash between two rival factions of the ruling party at Parul union in Pirgachha upazila on Thursday.

The victim was identified as Mafizul Islam, 45, AL general secretary of Pirgachha upazila unit and a resident of Mohishmuri village in the same Upazila.

Police and witnesses said the clash between the supporters of Parul union AL leaders Tofazzal Hosain and Matiul Islam Dablu broke out at noon at a meeting arranged for selecting councilors for the upcoming council of the union unit of the party.

At one stage, both the groups equipped with sharp weapons and sticks attacked each other.

As Mafiz came forward to settle the dispute, the feuding AL men hit him with a stick on his head, leaving him critically injured.

He was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 2:30pm.

As his death news spread in his village, the supporters of Mofizul vandalised the house of Matiul Islam and some shops at the Dewti Bazar.

Zahidur Rahman Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Pirgachha Police Station, said being informed police rushed in and brought the situation under control.

Additional police were deployed in the area to avoid any further untoward incident. A tense situation was prevailing in the area following the AL leader’s death.