A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist was shot dead and at least 15 others were injured in a clash between two factions of Jubo Dal in Chattogram city early today.

The deceased was identified as Md Sajjad, 22.

Bakalia Police Station's Inspector (Investigation) Mozammel Haque confirmed the matter.

Sajjad was known to be a follower of Emdadul Haque Badsha, the expelled organising secretary of the now-defunct city unit of Jubo Dal, sources inside the party said.

The "gunfight" erupted between Emdadul and former city unit JCD president Gazi Siraj Ullah at 1:30am in Bagar Bilmukh area on Bakalia Access Road following a dispute over tearing down banners, police and party sources said.

Inspector Mozammel Haque said, "During the clash, Sajjad was shot and was later pronounced dead at Chattogram Medical College Hospital."

According to party sources, tension escalated after local Jubo Dal activist Md Jasim, a follower of Emdadul, was allegedly abducted and beaten up by Borhan Uddin and Nazrul Islam Sohel -- both followers of Siraj -- last night.

Borhan had previously been active in Awami League politics but recently hung banners featuring Chattogram City Corporation Mayor and former city BNP president Shahadat Hossain in the area, which triggered mixed reactions in the area, the party sources said.

Jasim told reporters that Mayor Shahadat Hossain had instructed them to remove banners hung across different parts of the city featuring photos of "self-proclaimed leaders".

Following the directive, Jasim and others took down several banners in Bakalia and other areas, including one displaying photos of Shahadat, Siraj, and Borhan.

Over the incident, Borhan and his men allegedly abducted and assaulted him, Jasim claimed.

Party insiders said that after news of Jasim's abduction spread, supporters of Emdadul went to rescue him. As they reached Bakalia Access Road, they came under attack, during which Sajjad suffered bullet injuries.

Emdadul told reporters, "Borhan had hung banners featuring Siraj and others. When Mayor Shahadat ordered those to be removed, Borhan's men abducted Jasim. They opened fire when our men went to rescue him."

In response, Siraj said, "Borhan and Sohel are not my followers. I am currently in Patiya for the upcoming election. After learning about their misdeeds, I cut all contact with them."

Sajjad's mother, Farida Begum, who rushed to the hospital after the shooting, said, "Why did they shoot my son? I want justice for those who killed him."

FP/MI