At least 50 leaders and activists sustained injuries after Awami League men allegedly opened fire on a BNP rally in Cumilla on Saturday.

The incident took place at a BNP representative rally at the house of Union BNP President Mofizul Islam in Belghar North union of Cumilla's Lalmai upazila.

Lalmai police station Officer-in-Charge Hanif Sarkar said, "A peace rally of Awami League was taking place in the village. When the Awami League brought out the procession, the BNP men threw brickbats and a little chaos was created.

He also said, "There should have been signs if shots were fired. We did not see any such signs at the spot."

BNP chairperson's advisor and former member of parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury said, "We had a representative meeting in Belghar North union. I heard that Awami League men hired by Lalmai Upazila Parishad Chairman Kamrul Hasan and Sadar Dakshin Upazila Parishad Chairman Golam Sarwar vandalised the place and fired shots at the meeting.

"Jubo Dal leaders Feroze and Monir were shot. Altogether 50 BNP leaders and activists were injured," he added.

Denying the allegations, Sadar Dakshin Upazila Parishad Chairman Golam Sarwar said, "BNP men shot at our people during our procession on Gayarbhanga-Belghar road. Around eight to nine of us were injured."