Photo: Collected
The incident took place around 3am today (18 December), confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Atlutmish. He said, police rushed to the scene immediately after news of the clash broke. The deceased have been identified as Aminul Islam Bachchu Mia, 70, is a resident of Egarsindur area of Pakundia police station in Kishoreganj district and Belal, 60, of Beraid area of Dakshin Khan, Dhaka.
Besides, hundreds of people were injured on both sides. They were rescued and taken to various local and Dhaka hospitals. One of the deceased was taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital where more than 20 among the injured were also being treated, said DMCH police outpost in charge Md Faruk.
Today, four platoons of BGB were deployed in Tongi following the clash, said BGB's Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam.
According to multiple local sources, Saad's supporters began entering the Ijtema ground around 3am today, after sending an open letter to the followers of Shuray-e-Nezami. At this time, Shuray-e-Nezami'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 Jobaer'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.
"Two of our followers were killed," he added.
On the other hand, influential Saad supporters' elder 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 Zobayer."
Noor claims that many Zobayer supporters are being arrested in the Ijtema grounds with knives and sharp weapons.
Messenger/Tareq
