POBNEWS24, Desk report Dhaka Dec 18, 2024: The Tongi Ijtema Maidan is now under the control of the followers of pro-India Maulana Saad Kadlambi.
Three people were killed and over a hundred were injured in a clash between Maulana Saad supporters and Maulana Zubair supporters this morning.
The ground is now completely under the control of the pro-India supporters. The four-day long Ijtema of the Maulana Saad supporters of the Tablighi Jamaat is starting next Friday. Tensions have been rising between the two groups of Muslims for some time now over this Ijtema. Those injured in the clash this morning are undergoing treatment in various hospitals including the capital Dhaka. Currently, four platoons of BGB along with the army are deployed in the area. In addition, members of the law enforcement agencies are patrolling. The helicopter patrol team of RAB is monitoring round the clock. So that there is no deterioration in law and order.
The entire Maidan came under the control of the army and law enforcement agencies at 8 am on Wednesday (December 18). Several followers of Zubayer from inside the Maidan were taken into custody by law enforcement agencies, according to Saad followers.
The deceased in the clash were Aminul Islam Bachchu (70), son of the deceased Osman of Egarsindu village of Pakundia police station in Kishoreganj district. Belal Hossain (60), son of Abdus Samad of Beraid area of Dakshin Khan, Dhaka, and another was Tajul Islam (70) of Bogra district.
Local sources said that at around 3:15 am, Saad supporters started entering the Ijtema Maidan from the west bank of the Turag River through various roads including Kamarpara Bridge. At that time, Zubayer supporters hurled bricks and stones from inside the Maidan. In response, Saad supporters also retaliated. At one stage, when Saad supporters entered the Maidan, a massive clash broke out between the two sides.
Currently, there are reports that Maulana Zubair’s followers are protesting by blocking traffic on the highway in Gazipur, Sreepur and some other places. Currently, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway is closed to traffic.
