Awami League sources said Sharishabari AL Vice-President Principal Abdur Rashid called the press conference to protest a news item published in some dailies.

They alleged that local BNP cadres, armed with lethal weapons, suddenly attacked the conference, beat up those present and ransacked the press club.

Of the injured, AL leader Faruk Hossain was shifted to a hospital in Dhaka from Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition, while others were admitted to local hospital and clinics.