Keraniganj police held three persons in Pargandaria area for their alleged involvement in Wednesday's fierce gunfight that left three ruling BNP adherents dead.

They are named Mujib, Sohel and Sumon.

Conflict over establishing supremacy in the locality was the reason behind the shootout which started at 8:30pm, police said.

"The clash seems to be a result of rivalry between the feuding groups rather than centring around Tk 3,000 that Marbel lent to Jahangir," an official of Keraniganj Police Station said seeking anonymity.

A gang led by Jahangir and Mujib shot dead Jubo Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists Marbel, Mamun and Nasim Rana following a dispute over returning the amount, family members of the victims alleged.

Jahangir got furious when Marbel demanded his money back and unleashed Wednesday night's attack, police said.

Marbel's father Sadek Ali filed a case with Keraniganj Police Station early yesterday accusing Mujib and Jahangir for the killing of Marbel, his friends Mamun and Nasim when they were gossiping in front of Marbel's residence near Pargandaria graveyard at about 8:30pm.

Mujib and Jahangir are activists of the Awami League's front organisation Jubo League, police said adding that both are also operatives of infamous Dacoit Shahid.

Jahangir was once a resident of the area but now resides in Sutrapur, police added.

Locals and police said the victims were involved in extorting money from local businessmen, snatching and other criminal activities.

However, police could not provide information regarding the victims' criminal records immediately.