100 injured as clash breaks out between madrasah students, Sunnis in Ctg's Hathazari; Section 144 imposed
To prevent further unrest, Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the affected areas from 10pm today until 3pm tomorrow.
Highlights
- Clash in Hathazari leaves 100 injured after Facebook post
- 15 critically hurt, shifted to CMCH
- Section 144 imposed to prevent futher unrest
- Youth behind post arrested
- Islami Front condemns attack, blames extremists
A violent clash broke out in Chattogram's Hathazari tonight (6 September) between students of a madrasah and Sunni Muslims following a controversial Facebook post, leaving at least 100 people injured.
The confrontation began in front of the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Muinul Islam Madrasah around 8:30pm when madrasa students allegedly vandalised several buses carrying Sunni devotees returning from an Eid-e-Miladunnabi procession, called Jashn-e-Julus.
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Confirming the matter, Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General Ahsan Habib Palashtold The Business Standard, "By 10:30pm, the two groups remained face-to-face while law enforcement attempted to disperse them.
"Police are on the ground trying to bring the situation under control."
Dr Tapan Kanti, medical officer at the emergency department of the Hathazari Upazila Health Complex, said, "Until 11:30pm, we treated around 80 injured. Of them, 15 were in critical condition. They were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital [CMCH] for advanced treatment."
Meanwhile, to prevent further unrest, Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin, also acting executive magistrate, imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the affected areas from 10pm today until 3pm tomorrow.
According to a statement issued by the UNO, the order bans all gatherings of more than five people, processions, rallies, carrying of explosives or firearms, and any form of assembly along the stretch from Mirer Hat to the Eleven Mile Substation, and from the upazila gate to the Agricultural Training Institute in Hathazari.
Earlier in the day, police arrested a youth identified as Arian Ibrahim, a resident of ward-3 under Fatikchhari municipality, over the Facebook post that triggered the violence.
He allegedly uploaded a photo making obscene gestures in front of the Hathazari madrasah mosque while on the way to the Jashn-e-Julus. The post quickly spread on social media, sparking outrage in the area. Hathazari police detained him on the directive of the local UNO.
The incident has drawn condemnation from the Bangladesh Islami Front, which accused the madrasah students of launching an attack on Sunni devotees during the religious procession.
In a joint statement, Chairman Allama MA Matin and Secretary General Allama SUM Abdus Samad termed the attackers "extremist militants" and demanded exemplary punishment.
"While Muslims worldwide are observing the 1500th Milad-un-Nabi with devotion, a group of extremists attacked devotees in Hathazari, even pouring hot water on them," the statement read.
"Such brutality cannot be the act of true Muslims. Those opposing Milad-un-Nabi only spread chaos and bloodshed. The consequences of targeting peace-loving Muslims will be dire," it added.
The situation in Hathazari remained tense as additional police were deployed to enforce Section 144.
What is Section 144?
Section 144 refers to a legal provision under the CrPC, 1898, which empowers executive magistrates to take immediate preventive action in situations where there is a likelihood of public disorder, unrest or threats to public safety.
Violation of Section 144 is a criminal offence, punishable under the CrPC.
It is imposed to prevent large gatherings in volatile situations.
