Two people have been killed and hundreds injured in a bloody clash between the followers of Tablighi Jamaat’s Maulana Zubayer Ahmed and supporters of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi of India over occupying the Bishwa Ijtema field in Tongi, Gazipur.
The incident took place around 3am today (18 December), confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Altutmish. He said, police rushed to the scene immediately after news of the clash broke.
The deceased have been identified as Aminul Islam Bachchu Mia, 70, is a resident of Egarsindur area of Pakundia police station in Kishoreganj district, and Belal, 60, of Beraid area of Dakshin Khan, Dhaka, according to the media coordinators of the two factions.
However, media conveners of the two factions claimed another person named Taijul, 65, from Bogura, has been killed in the incident.
Media Convener of Zobayer’s followers Habibullah Rahman claimed three people men to be of their group while influential Saad supporter Muaz bin Noor claimed Taijul to be their member.
Besides, hundreds of people were injured on both sides. They were rescued and taken to various local and Dhaka hospitals.
One person died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital where more than 20 among the injured were also being treated, said DMCH police outpost in charge Md Faruk.
Fearing the situation might deteriorate, a large number of army personnel, police personnel, RAB and BGB members were deployed around the Ijtema ground along with various armoured vehicles.
Amidst this tight security, around 12pm, Zubayer followers tried to enter the Ijtema ground again through the Tongi College Gate area with sticks.
They blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway under the flyover in the Tongi Station Road area, preventing traffic. Tensions rose when Saad followers chased them with sticks. At that time, traffic on the highway was temporarily stopped.
Zubayer followers also blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway demanding justice for the killing of their followers.
As per the government decision, the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, organised by Zubair followers, will be held from 31 January to 2 February next year and the second phase, organised by Saad followers, will be held from 7 to 9 February.
According to media coordinators of the two groups, there is an ongoing dispute over whether Saad’s followers will be able to hold a ‘Jor Ijtema’ at the Ijtema ground from 20 to 24 December and cases have also been filed.
Earlier around 3am today, Saad’s supporters began entering the Ijtema ground, after sending an open letter to the followers of Zubayer, according to multiple local sources. At this time, Zubayer’s followers, who were already inside the field, blocked them with sticks and hurled brickbats.
Later, Saad’s supporters, who were trying to enter the field, also attacked them. A massive clash broke out between the two sides. This resulted in casualties on both sides.
Locals alleged that when the Saad supporters entered the ground, police who were on duty at the Ijtema ground moved away and took position on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, east of the location.
Media Convener of Zobayer’s followers Habibullah Rahman said, at 2:30am last night, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis and some coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement came to Kakrail Mosque to discuss how to solve the issue of Saad supporters sending open letters and trying of take control of the Ijtema grounds.
“Shortly after, we got the news that Saad supporters from all over the country were staying at Belal Mosque on the western side of Tongi field and from there. Then, various hired goons from all over the country and all their new and old followers from different areas armed with sharp weapons entered Tongi Maidan by breaking the gate of the foreign tent,” he claimed.
He said, when the Saad supporters saw they were not getting any administrative decision, they attacked the Tablighi followers of Shurai Nezami who were engaged in the preparation work for the Bishwa Ijtema and guarding the Ijtema grounds and were sleeping at approximately 4am.
On the other hand, influential Saad supporter Muaz bin Noor said in a video message, “We are now in control of the Ijtema ground. One of our brothers has been martyred in the attack by the supporters of Zobayer.”
Noor claims that many Zobayer supporters are being arrested in the Ijtema grounds with knives and sharp weapons.
The aftermath of the clash over the occupation of the Ijtema ground in Tongi, Gazipur, has also reached Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital.
The injured who came to the hospital for treatment claimed they were again attacked by the followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi at the emergency department.
Initially the police tried to control the situation and later army was deployed.
Security heightened
Police and RAB have strengthened security in the Kakrail Mosque and Dhaka Medical College Hospital areas following the clash between two parties over the occupation of the Ijtema field in Tongi. In addition, four platoons of BGB have been deployed at the scene of the clash since morning, said BGB’s Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam.
Ramna police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Faruk said a sufficient number of police have been deployed in and around Kakrail Mosque. The police are ready to deal with any untoward situation.
When asked, RAB-3 Assistant Director Mohammad Faizul Islam said RAB-3 security has been strengthened in the Kakrail Mosque and Dhaka Medical College Hospital areas following the clash between two parties over the occupation of the Ijtema Maidan in Tongi.
Tension was prevailing in the Kakrail Mosque area till the time of writing the report around 1pm.
Note: It was earlier reported that there were three deaths, but we are yet to officially confirm the figure.
