A group of youths arranged gambling in collaboration with the local puja committee, police said, adding that police raided there at midnight in an attempt to drive out the gamblers.

Trying to flee, Abdul Awal, 35, vice president of Merung Uttar Union Awami League, was drowned.

Aggrieved relatives of the deceased AL leader damaged the puja mandap.

However, the statue of Durga remained intact. Dighinala upazila Awami League Secretary Abul Kasem and witnesses said police went there to take bribes.

The body was sent to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash over watching blue film on the same night.

Seriously injured Mainul Hoque, 45, a naike of Khagrachhari police, was admitted to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital.

Some people of Pancha Mail area were watching a blue film for Tk 5 tickets beside a shop near a puja mandap when a group of youths came in a jeep and tried to enter the shop without any payment, police and locals said.

After they were denied entrance without ticket, they attacked the locals who retaliated using lathi, knives and bricks.

Police beat the attackers and shot in the air to control the situation, witnesses said.

At least 10 were injured in the incident but they were not admitted to hospital in fear of arrest, locals said.

Tarun Kumar Battacharya, secretary of the local Puja Udjapon Committee, said they urged the administration to take proper action as they apprehended attack on the minority community.

Sufficient policemen have been deployed in all puja mandaps from the very first day of the puja and security has been provided for the minority community, Khagrachhari police superintendent said.