Calm prevails at Ijtema ground in Tongi after deadly clashes
Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed around the area to ensure security and prevent further violence
The government has taken full control of Tongi's Biswa Ijtema ground in Gazipur following deadly clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat that left four people dead and over 50 injured.
Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed around the area to ensure security and prevent further violence.
Additional forces have been deployed on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Kamarpara road where suspicious people are being searched and interrogated.
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Despite the unrest, a few devotees, followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi stayed overnight in a tin-shed mosque on the western bank of the Turag River.
They started leaving the area this morning (19 December).
Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) NM Nasir Uddin said a public notice was issued yesterday (18 December) prohibiting gatherings within a three-kilometer radius of the Ijtema ground.
Following the clash, The field is now under the control of police, RAB, BGB, and the army, with strict security measures in place.
The Ijtema ground will remain under government control until further notice.
Four people were killed and 40 others injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi over the control of the venue early Wednesday.
According to Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), the violence erupted when followers of Maulana Saad attempted to enter the venue, prompting a counter-attack by supporters of Maulana Zubair around 3am.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
Both factions have called separate press conferences to clarify their positions. The Saad faction will address the media at 2:30pm in Mirpur, while the Jubayer faction will hold their briefing at Gulshan's Lakeview.
Authorities have yet to file any cases regarding the incident, and the field remains closed to the public until further notice.
