Two platoons of Armed Police headed by two Magistrates have been deployed in the area, the SP said over cell phone from the spot.

The injured included ADM Banamali Bhaumik, ASP (Circle) Md Kamruzzaman, NDC Habibur Rahman, Sarail thana OC Md Rafiqul Islam and Sarail upazila UNO.

They were injured while trying to quell the violence that ensued from a trifle during a cricket match and then spread to 20 villages in Sarail Sadar and nearby Kalikatcha union. The match was being played at Sarail Degree College ground between first year and second year students on Monday.

It then turned into a veritable battle for supremacy between influentials in Sarail Sand and their rivals in Kalikatcha union, witnesses and officials said.

Clashes involving armed people spread as the influentials called upon their supporters over mikes to take on their opponents, villagers said.

The SP said arbitration meetings for peace were going on yesterday.

Among the injured, two policemen -- Mazammel Haque and Md Majibur Rahman-- were admitted to Brahamanabaria Sadar Hospital. This correspondent saw more 10 injured people including a woman from the villages being treated at Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital yesterday.

Over 300 people took treatment at Sarail Upazila Health Complex and Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital, sources there said.

As the clashes spread, ADM Banamali Bhaunik, NDC Habibur Rahman, Addition SP Md Jahangir Hossain and BDR Captain Md Shahria along with a large number of law enforcers rushed to the spot. Police fired 73 rubber bullets and lobbed nine tear gas shells, the SP said.

BDR sources said they fired 84 blank shots to disperse the clashing groups.

Police arrested 71 people including Kalikatcha Union Parishad Chairman Ahmedur Rahman.

During clashes, at least seven shops were set ablaze at Sarail market.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Saidur Rahman, SP AKM Masudul Alam, ADM Banamali Bhaumik were at the spot when the report was filed yesterday afternoon.