Three people were killed and over a hundred injured in a clash between two groups of Tablighi Jamaat over the organization of the Bishwa Ijtema on the banks of Turag in Tongi, Gazipur. In addition, videos are being circulated claiming that the Ijtema ground has been occupied by Saad supporters.
The clash between the two groups began at around 3 am on Tuesday (December 17) at the Ijtema ground on the banks of Turag in Tongi.
The deceased in the clash are - Bachchu Mia (70), Egarosindur of Pakundia police station in Kishoreganj and Belal (60), son of A. Samad of Beraid area of Dakshin Khan, Dhaka, and Taijul Islam (65) of Bogura district.
The injured are - A. Rouf (55), Mojibur Rahman (58), A. Hannan (60), Zahurul Islam (38), Arif (34), Faisal (28), Tariqul (42), Shahed (44), Ukil Mia (58), Pant (55) Tongi, Khorshed Alam (50) Belal (34), Anwar (50), Abu Bakkar (59), Ariful Islam (50), Anwar (26), Anwar (76), Forkan Ahmed (35), A. Rouf (55) Mujibur Rahman (58), A. Hannan (60), Zahurul Islam (38), Arif (34), Faisal (28), Tariqul (42), Shahed (44).
Local sources said that around 3 am, Saad supporters started entering the Ijtema ground from the west bank of the Turag River through various roads including Kamarpara Bridge. At that time, Zubair supporters hurled bricks and stones from inside the ground. In response to this, the Saad supporters also attacked back. At one stage, when the Saad supporters entered the field, a massive clash broke out between the two sides.
It is reported that 2 people were killed on the spot and over a hundred were injured, while another died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Muaz bin Noor, an influential Saad supporter, said in a video message, "We are now in control of the Ijtema field. 3 of our brothers were martyred in the attack by the Zubair supporters." Noor claimed that many Zubair supporters were arrested with knives and spears in the field.
Meanwhile, the casualties in the clash at the Ijtema field are being taken to various hospitals, including Tongi Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital.
Senior Brother Hafizul Islam of the emergency department of Tongi Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital confirmed the news of the dead and injured, saying that so far three people have been killed and numerous people have been injured.
Claiming that the condition of many is critical, he said that the death toll could rise further. The injured are being taken to various hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Iskandar Habib said, "So far we have received information about two deaths. The administration is working to control the law and order situation." Incidentally, the Bishwa Ijtema will be held in two phases next year. The first phase will be held from January 31 to February 2 and the second phase from February 7 to 9. On December 3, the 5-day Jod Ijtema, organized by Shuray Nezam, ended as a preparation for the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema. On December 20, there is a dispute that the Saad supporters will hold Jod Ijtema and the Zubair supporters will not allow it. In this situation, both sides are holding various programs including press conferences and rallies. After the press conference of the Zubair supporters, the Saad supporters also held a conference and explained their position.