A man was killed and at least 30 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups at Birampur village in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila early today, following a dispute that began over a Ludo game during Ramadan.

The deceased was identified as Nasir Mia, 65, of Birampur village, said Mohammad Azharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Brahmanbaria General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The clash broke out around 5:00am between the supporters of two influential groups -- "Harun chairman group" and the "Iqbal–Anis Member–Sachhu group" -- with both sides attacking each other with local weapons, the OC said, quoting locals.

During the hours-long violence, several houses and shops were vandalised and at least four homesteads were set on fire, he added.

Police later rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Mohammad Nasir Uddin, chairman of Sadekpur Union Parishad, said that the feud originated during Ramadan when a quarrel broke out between Jewel of Pirbari and Hadis Mia of Khalpar over a Ludo game.

Jewel is the supporter of "Harun chairman group" while Hadis belongs to the other group, the chairman said.

That incident led to several rounds of violence, injuring around 20 people that time, he added.

Later, a village arbitration sat at the village and subsequently ordered Hadis Mia to pay Tk 1.2 lakh in compensation to Jewel. However, Hadis's failure to pay reignited tensions, culminating in today's clash.

No case has been filed as of yet.

FP/MI