At least 23 people, including three policemen, were injured yesterday in a clash between supporters of two BNP nomination aspirants in Faridpur's Boalmari upazila.

Meanwhile, 15 people were injured on Thursday night in a clash between supporters of BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad over nominations in Patuakhali's Galachipa upazila.

In Faridpur, the nearly two-hour-long violence erupted around 4:00pm near Wapda intersection during a programme marking the November 7 Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Khondakar Nasirul Islam, vice president of Krishak Dal, and Shamsuddin Mia, former joint secretary of Boalmari BNP, are both vying for the party's nomination for Faridpur-1, a seat for which the BNP has yet to name a candidate.

According to locals, around 3:00pm, supporters of Shamsuddin and Nasirul -- both armed with sticks -- gathered separately at Wapda Mor and near Kazi Sirajul Islam Mohila College Mor. Around 4:00pm, they brought out processions and clashed near the Boalmari municipality office, pelting each other with bricks.

Outnumbered, Shamsuddin's men retreated to Harun Shopping Complex. Nasirul's supporters then allegedly set fire to at least ten motorbikes, vandalised Shamsuddin's office on the complex's ground floor, and damaged several nearby shops.

Several senior upazila officials tried to intervene but failed to stop the violence. The clashes continued until around 5:30pm, when army personnel arrived and restored order.

Both sides later blamed each other.

Shamsuddin alleged that Awami League activists joined Nasirul's men in attacking his supporters and office, injuring 15 people and damaging portraits of Khaleda Zia.

Nasirul, however, claimed he was not present and that his men were attacked first. "One of our men was injured by a machete. Bystanders later retaliated after bricks were thrown from the shopping complex," he said.

Mahmudul Hasan, OC of Boalmari Police Station, said three police personnel were injured during the clashes. "The situation is now under control," he added.

In Patuakhali, violence broke out around 9:00pm on Thursday, allegedly over who would get the nomination for the next national election -- BNP's Hasan Mamun or Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, popularly known as "VP Nur."

Locals said supporters of both parties clashed at Dakshin Kupalbera intersection as they were returning after holding separate programmes in Kupalbera Bazar.

The injured have been admitted to Galachipa Upazila Health Complex.

Local Jubo Dal leader Ilias claimed Gono Odhikar Parishad men attacked them without provocation, while Aminul Islam, vice-president of Dhaka North Jubo Odhikar Parishad and brother of Nur, alleged BNP activists initiated the attack.

Galachipa Police Station OC Md Ashadur Rahman said police were deployed immediately after the incident.