Jessore: Two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) hurled crude bombs and exchanged bullets as the activists engaged in a clash while placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar in Jessore in the early hours of International Mother Language Day.

Local people said local lawmaker Kazi Nabil Ahmed paid his tribute to the Shaheed Minar at Jessore Government MM College premises at about 12:01am on 21 February. The deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police also placed wreaths at the language martyrs monument.

The clash triggered when the pro-Awami League student body, BCL, leaders and activists came to pay their tribute and had an argument over placing wreath at the altar of Shaheed Minar, said the witnesses.

Two groups of BCL hurled several crude bombs and opened blank fire, which spread panic among the people.

Police also opened blank fire to take the situation under control.

The wreath placing ceremony was halted for some times due to the unpleasant circumstances.

However, no casualties have been recorded yet.

Jessore addition superintendent of police KM Ariful Haque said rival group of the local lawmaker attacked on the lawmaker’s flowers over placing wreath at the Shaheed Minar.