Three people were killed in a clash between followers of Maulana Zubair and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi over the occupation of the Tongi Ijtema ground in Gazipur. In this incident, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned meetings, rallies, processions and demonstrations in Kamarpara, Abdullahpur, Uttara Sector-10 and the adjacent areas south and west of the Turag river.
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali confirmed the matter on Wednesday (December 18) afternoon.
The public notice signed by the DMP Commissioner said, "This is to inform the public that in order to maintain public order in the recent situation, in accordance with the powers vested in Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/76), any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, etc. has been banned in Kamarpara, Abdullahpur, Uttara Sector-10 and the adjacent areas southwest of Turag River from 2 pm on December 18 until further orders."
According to local sources, Saad followers were trying to enter the Ijtema Maidan to hold a five-day Ijtema from December 20 before the Biswa Ijtema. And Zubayer supporters were already present in the Maidan to prevent Saad supporters from entering the Ijtema Maidan.
Bachchu Mia (70), Taijul (65) and Belal (60) were killed in the clash between the two sides. Bachchu Mia's home is in Egarsindur village of Pakundia police station in Kishoreganj district. Belal's home is in Beraid area of Dakshin Khan in Dhaka and Taijul Islam is a resident of Bogra district. Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Maulana Zubair's followers, confirmed that all the deceased were members of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh (Shurai Nezam).
Meanwhile, in Gazipur, Zubair supporters are protesting by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding a trial in the clash between Maulana Saad and Zubair supporters and handing over the Ijtema Maidan to Zubair supporters.
On Wednesday (December 18), around 10 am, Zubair supporters blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Mulaider Pallibidyut area of Sreepur upazila of the district. Long traffic jams have been created due to the closure of traffic on the highway.