Police have been deployed in the area fearing further clashes as tension mounted and shopkeepers downed their shutters.

Police said the clashes took place between supporters of Siraj alias Siraj Dacoit and Abdul Huq, both known as toll collectors and for their anti-social activities.

There has been rivalry between the two groups for long over possession of local BNP office and supremacy in the area for toll collection.

Mainuddin, 40, belonging to Siraj group was declared dead when he was taken to Bhola Sadar Hospital.

Two other leaders of the faction--Mintu, 35, and Shukkur alias Jamai Siraj, 40-- are in critical condition at the hospital, doctors said when contacted over phone.

Police quoting witnesses said Abdul Huq's supporters attacked Moinuddin, Shukkur and Mintu when they went to the market in the morning.

Talking to local journalists later on the day, Abdul Huq claimed that 15 members of "notorious Siraj dacoit gang", after taking shelter at the local BNP office, were preparing to loot the Agrani Bank branch at Khayerhut Bazaar at about 8-15 am on Monday.

Local people came to know their plan and laid a siege to the BNP office. Siraj gang members fired shots and hurled bombs from inside the BNP office, Huq claimed.

The agitated people then chased the them and caught three including Siraj. The three were beaten and hit hammers and lethal weapons.

Being informed, police from Borhanuddin and Daulatkhan thanas rushed to the spot at about 9 am.

Local people however gave different versions.

Agrani Bank manager M A Majid said there was no attempt by any body to loot the bank and he opened the branch at 8-45 Monday morning as usual.

Meherjan Begum, 70, mother of injured Mintu, and Amena Khatun, 35, wife of Siraj, said Siraj used to commit dacoity earlier along with Abdul Huq, former chairman of Gangapur Union Parishad. He has given up dacoity, they claimed.

Siraj and his son Bahauddin had earlier occupied local Awami League office and converted it into a BNP office.