Home Adviser: No leniency for those responsible for Ijtema ground deaths

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured that the government would provide assistance if necessary for the treatment of those injured in the Ijtema ground clashes. Addressing journalists at the Secretariat after separate meetings with the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat today, he stated that those responsible for the killings would face justice. "They will not be spared under any circumstances, and the real perpetrators will be brought to trial," he emphasized.  

At the same briefing, Mamunul Haque, Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish and a supporter of the Tabligh faction loyal to Maulana Zubair, described the Maulana Saad faction as a "terrorist group" and demanded a ban on their activities.  

"The supporters of Zubair do not want any chaos. This is not a clash between two factions as some have claimed. Instead, the Saad-backed faction has caused casualties on our side. Those involved in these murders should be arrested by today," Mamunul asserted.  

Mamunul further stated that four lives were lost, and many others were injured in the attacks. When asked about the possibility of holding an Ijtema, he confirmed that the Zubair followers’ event would proceed as planned, but ruled out any Ijtema for the Saad faction.  

Regarding the long march from the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Mamunul said, "A conference of clerics is currently underway at Kakrail. We will provide updates on this after discussing it there."  

Earlier, Reza Arif, a representative of the Maulana Saad faction, addressed reporters after their meeting with the home adviser.  

"I urge all my fellow devotees to vacate the ground," Reza said, adding that the advisers of the interim government had requested their faction to leave the area to prevent further tension.  

"In response to their request, we have decided to leave the ground to avoid escalating problems," he announced. Reza assured his followers that law enforcement agencies present at the site would ensure their safety and security during the withdrawal.  

He also called on supporters of the Maulana Zubair faction to vacate the Ijtema ground to avoid further conflict, stressing the importance of unity for the sake of religion and the nation.  

Expressing grief over the fatalities, Reza stated, "Every effort will be made to prevent such incidents in the future."  

At least four people were killed, and 50 others injured in a violent clash between the two factions over control of the Biswa Ijtema ground in Gazipur’s Tongi upazila early today.  

According to police, the clash broke out between followers of Maulana Zubair and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi at around 3:00am on the Ijtema ground.