At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two rival groups over a longstanding dispute in Char Chartala village of Ashuganj upazila in Brahmanbaria on Thursday night.

The clash began around 10:00pm and continued until about 1:00am on Friday, triggering panic among local residents as members of the rival groups chased each other with torches and hurled brickbats.

According to police and local residents, members of Kechki Bari and Akkar Bari had been at loggerheads over various issues for a long time.

The latest confrontation reportedly erupted after Kabir of Akkar Bari and Al-Amin of Kechki Bari got into an argument over an alleged theft that took place around a year and a half ago.

The argument soon escalated into a violent clash as members of both groups joined in, using locally made weapons.

On information, police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control after nearly three hours of efforts.

Md Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ashuganj Police Station, said the clash stemmed from a previous dispute between the two groups.

Police remain deployed in the village to prevent further violence. Legal action will be taken following an investigation, he added.