Two brothers were killed and 20 others injured in a clash over harvesting paddy from a disputed piece of land in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat yesterday morning.

Police arrested seven people in this connection.

The deceased were identified as Ibrahim Sheikh, 48, and Palash Sheikh, 32.

Sources said Abdur Rahim Khan of Sonakhali village had a dispute over the piece of land with his neighbour Shahidul Khan. Rahim cultivated paddy on the land but on Friday morning Shahidul brought 12-14 workers to harvest the paddy.

The clash erupted after Rahim's family had tried to prevent the harvest, they said.

Rahim's relatives Ibrahim and Palash died on the spot. Seven injured were admitted to Morrelganjp Upazila Health Complex while five others were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra Roy said he visited the spot around 6:20pm.

The arrestees are Shahidul Khan, 45, Mojibur Khan, 60, Wahab Khan, 65, Barek Khan, 62, Ibrahim Khan 27, Nur Islam, and Abu Hanif.

The bodies of the deceased were sent to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.