4 killed, many injured as Tablighi Jamaat factions clash over Ijtema ground

Four people were killed and at least 50 others injured as the followers of two Tablighi Jamaat faction leaders Maulana Zubayer Ahmed and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi clashed in Gazipur's Tongi in the early hours of Wednesday (18 December) over taking control of the Bishwa Ijtema ground.

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, and more than 20 men were being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said Md Faruk, in-charge of the police outpost at DMCH.

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

The identity of the fourth victim has not been confirmed yet. However, media conveners of the two factions claimed another person named Taijul, 65, from Bogura, was killed in the incident.

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… those involved will be brought under the law."

Discussions between the two groups were ongoing, and if an agreement is reached, the government will take a decision, he added.

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.

The two groups allegedly were in a dispute over whether Saad's followers would be able to hold a "Jor Ijtema" at the Ijtema ground from 20 to 24 December, a preparatory event ahead of the Ijtema.

The clash started around 3am today, centring on which faction would occupy the Ijtema field, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Mohammad Iltutmish told the media.

"Police rushed to the scene immediately after news of the clash broke," he said.

According to local sources, Saad's supporters began entering the Ijtema ground, after sending an open letter to the followers of Zubayer.

Zubayer's followers, who were already inside the field, blocked them with sticks and hurled brickbats. A clash erupted between the two groups, leaving four people dead and around 50 others injured.

Media Convener of Zubayer faction Habibullah Rahman said at 2:30am on Wednesday, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis and some coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement came to Kakrail Mosque to discuss how to solve the issue of Saad supporters sending open letters and trying to 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 said.

He said when the Saad supporters saw they were not getting any administrative decisions, they attacked the Tablighi followers who were engaged in the preparation work for the Bishwa Ijtema and guarding the Ijtema grounds and were sleeping at approximately 4am.

Soon after the clash, 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."

Meanwhile, fearing the situation might deteriorate, additional members of law enforcement agencies including Army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed around the Ijtema ground along with various armoured vehicles.

In addition, additional precautions were implemented at Kakrail Mosque and Dhaka Medical College Hospital (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.

However, 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.

By evening, the situation had returned to normalcy.

In light of the escalating tensions, both factions have agreed to vacate the Ijtema ground temporarily, respecting the government's request to maintain peace and avoid further clashes, reports UNB.

Speaking  after an emergency meeting chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Reza Arif, a representative of Saad's faction, condemned the violence and urged peaceful withdrawal by both groups.

Meanwhile, Maulana Mamunul Haque, a key leader of Zubair's group, demanded that the government ban Saad's followers from organising Ijtema gatherings, accusing them of collaborating with "anti-Bangladesh forces".

He also announced plans to file a case over the recent violence.

Mufti Amanul Haq, a spokesperson for the Zubair faction, threatened a long march to seize control of the venue if Saad's followers do not leave.

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.