Man injured in 18 Dec Ijtema clash dies at DMCH

A man who was critically injured in the 18 December clash between the followers of Maulana Zubair Ahmed and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, the leaders of two Tablighi Jamaat factions, in Gazipur's Tongi died last night [27 January]. 

The deceased has been identified as Mizanur Rahman, said Md Sayem, media coordinator of Maulana Saad. 

With Mizanur, the total death toll in the clash over taking control of the Bishwa Ijtema ground has risen to five. 

"Mizanur Rahman [the deceased] was the son of Chhobir Uddin Pramanik, a freedom fighter from Kurigram's Fulbari upazila. He was an active member of the Saad faction of the Tablighi Jamaat," said Sayem. 

He said Mizanur was severely injured during the clash and was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where he died last night after receiving treatment for a month and twelve days. 

Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Iskander Habibur Rahman said, "We have received news of Mizanur Rahman's death. We are preparing to investigate the matter and take legal action."

Initial confusion over deaths

Four people were killed and at least 50 others injured during the clash at the Ijtema ground on 18 December. 

Two of the deceased were identified as Aminul Islam Bachchu Mia, 70, a resident of Egarasindur area of Pakundia in Kishoreganj district, and Belal, 60, of Beraid area of Dhaka's Dakshinkhan, according to police and hospital sources.

One individual identified as Billah, 60, died while undergoing treatment, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost.

Each faction claimed the three deceased as members of their group.

Moreover, media conveners of the two factions claimed another person named Taijul, 65, from Bogura, was killed in the clash.

Speculation on the death toll was rife throughout the day of the clash but was put to bed by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who after a meeting with the two factions said there was no room for concessions for those involved in the killings.

Those involved will be brought under the law, he had said, confirming that four people were killed.

Arrest of Saad followers and HC bail

A day after the clash on 19 December, Maulana Zubair's follower M Alam Hossain filed a murder case against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station, naming Wasiful Islam of the Saad faction as the main accused.

Since the filing of the case, several Saad followers, including its spokesperson Muaz Bin Noor and leader Shafiullah, were arrested and placed on remand 

On 8 January, the High Court granted bail to 23 followers of Saad in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat. 

However, the prosecution submitted a petition seeking a stay order.

On 27 January, the Appellate Division upheld the HC's bail order. It also deferred the hearing of a petition filed by the prosecution seeking a stay order on the HC order to 23 February. 

As per the government decision, the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, organised by Zubair's followers, will be held from 31 January to 2 February, and the second phase, organised by Saad followers, will be held from 7 to 9 February.