Ijtema clashes mar day: 4 killed, hundreds injured, bans imposed
There is no room for concessions for those involved in the killings. My brothers (victims) filed cases today, and those involved will be brought under the law, Home affairs adviser says
When the dust had settled on the deadly clashes between the followers of Tablighi Jamaat's Maulana Zubayer Ahmed and supporters of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, four people were killed and at least 50 injured in Gazipur's Tongi.
Speculation on the death toll was rife throughout the day, but it was put to bed by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with the two factions, he then said, "There is no room for concessions for those involved in the killings. My brothers [victims] filed cases today, and those involved will be brought under the law.
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"Discussions between the two groups were going on, and if an agreement is reached, the government will take a decision," he added.
ALSO READ: Explainer: Why are Muslim clerics clashing over Bishwa Ijtema
The adviser also mentioned that the government is prepared to provide medical assistance to the injured, if necessary.
Meanwhile, fearing the situation might deteriorate, a large number of army personnel, police personnel, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were deployed around the Ijtema ground along with various armoured vehicles.
Additional precautions were implemented at Kakrail Mosque and DMCH, with a ban on gatherings, processions, and loudspeakers in areas near the Ijtema grounds.
Law enforcement has also restricted public access to the grounds and surrounding regions.
Once the deaths were announced, followers of Saad Kandhalvi expressed regret and announced their decision to vacate the venue.
Fears and apprehension, however, remain.
The aftermath
Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Mohammad Iltutmish said the clash took place around 3am today [18 December] centring on which faction would occupy the Ijtema field.
"Police rushed to the scene immediately after news of the clash broke," he said.
ALSO READ: Explainer: Who is Saad Kandhalvi, the centre of Islamic group's rally today?
Two of the deceased were identified as Aminul Islam Bachchu Mia, 70, a resident of Egarsindur area of Pakundia in Kishoreganj district, and Belal, 60, of Beraid area of Dakshin Khan, Dhaka, according to police and hospital sources.
One individual identified as Billah, 60, died while undergoing treatment, and more than 20 men were being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said Md Faruk, in-charge of police out-post at DMCH.
Meanwhile, each faction claimed three deceased as members of their group.
Another deceased has not been identified yet.
However, media conveners of the two factions claimed another person named Taijul, 65, from Bogura, was killed in the incident.
Even though the clash had stopped, around 12pm, Zubayer's 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's followers also blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway demanding justice for the killing of their followers.
By evening, the situation had returned to normalcy.
Home adviser's briefing
An emergency meeting chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury resulted in the decision for Saad followers to vacate the grounds, allowing the government to assume control.
Speaking after the meeting, Reza Arif, a representative of Saad's faction, condemned the violence and urged peaceful withdrawal by both groups.
The clash
As per the government decision, the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, organised by Zubayer's 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 Zubayer'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 Zubayer."
Noor claims that many Zubayer 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 the army was deployed.
In the making
Since the announcement of the Ijtema dates, clashes between the two factions have grown.
Tensions flared between two factions of the Tablighi Jamaat after five of Maulana Saad's followers were attacked on their vehicle on 12 December.
Since then, the groups have had confrontations sporadically.
