At least four people were killed and 50 others injured early yesterday in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat over control of the Ijtema Maidan, a large field in Tongi where thousands of Muslim devotees congregate every year.

The clash broke out between the followers of two Tabligh leaders -- Maulana Zubair Ahmad and Maulana Saad -- around 3:00am, said Iskander Habibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Tongi West Police Station.

After meeting leaders of both groups at the Secretariat, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said four people were killed in the incident.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said three people died in the early hours, while another died in the morning.

Officials said the two factions blamed each other for the violence.

Against this backdrop, Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed a ban from 2:00pm onwards on all forms of gatherings, processions, and rallies in Kamarpara, Abdullahpur, Uttara Sector-10, and the areas along the banks of the Turag.

Border guards and army personnel have been deployed in the area.

Zubair's supporters said Saad followers attacked them with knives, hammers, and cricket stumps after 3:00am when they were fast asleep.

Saad followers, on the other hand, told reporters that while they were preparing to go to sleep in their tents by the road between Kamarpara and Sluice Gate, Zubair's men attacked them around 3:30am.

Teams of law enforcers have also been deployed near Kakrail Masjid, the headquarters of Zubair-faction in the capital.

HOW THE CLASH ERUPTED

According to locals, Saad followers were trying to enter the Ijtema ground to hold a five-day "Jor-Ijtema" from December 20.

As Zubair followers were already there, Saad followers failed to enter the field. And stayed outside. After 3:00am, hundreds of devotees crossed the Kamarpara Bridge and entered the Ijtema ground. Zubair followers then tried to stop them, leading to a clash, said locals.

Locals and witnesses said Zubair supporters threw brick chunks at Saad followers who retaliated.

Photo: Collected

For almost an hour, the groups hurled bricks and stones at each other. Saad followers eventually forced Zubair's men to leave.

In a video message around 4:30am, Muaz bin Noor, who is known as a Saad supporter, said, "We are now in control of the Ijtema Maidan. One of our brothers has been martyred in an attack by Zubair followers."

Officials identified three of the deceased as Aminul Islam Bachchu, 70, of Kishoreganj; Taizul Islam, 65, of Bogura; and Belal Hossain, 60, of Dhaka. They could not identify the other victim as of filing this report at 12:30am today.

At least 40 injured individuals were treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, according to sources.

After meeting the home adviser, Mamunul Haque, secretary general of Khelafat Majlish and a follower of Zubair, told reporters, "Zubair's supporters do not want chaos. Many have termed it a clash between the two factions. But it's not. Rather, Saad's men inflicted casualties on us. Those involved in the murders should be arrested by today. There is video footage of those involved."

In 2017, a rift developed between the leaders of Tabligh Jamaat, the organiser of the Biswa Ijtema. Factions of Zubair, based in Kakrail Masjid, and Saad, who is from India, later organised Ijtema in two phases.

The feud came to light in November 2017 when two factions clashed at Kakrail. The following year, there was a clash between the two factions over gaining control of the Kakrail Masjid.

In July 2018, late Hefazat-e-Islam leader Ahmad Shafi, popularly known as Maulana Shafi, formally extended support to the Zubair faction.

MEETINGS AT SECRETARIAT

Home Adviser Jahangir held separate meetings with leaders of both groups.

Reza Arif and several others from Saad group, held a nearly one and a half hours long meeting with the adviser starting at 11:00am. Advisers of the ministries of land, industries, information, and religious affairs, and special assistant to the chief adviser on defence and national integration development, and special assistant to the home adviser attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Reza said, "Of course, we, as Muslims and citizens of the country, regret what happened. A fight between Muslims and Muslims is not right. We sincerely apologise. I request my fellow devotees to leave the [Ijtema] ground."

He added that the advisers requested the leaders to vacate the ground to prevent further escalation of tension.

"We decided to leave the place so that no more problems arise," he said.

He expressed hope that Zubair's men would also leave the ground.

"We will make every effort necessary to ensure no such incident happens in the future."

Later in the day, the advisers held a meeting with Zubair followers led by Mamunul Haque.

After 2:30pm, Mamunul along with the home adviser addressed the media.

He described Saad followers as terrorists and demanded a ban on their activities.

Mamunul said, "The Ijtema of the Zubair followers will definitely be held. But there is no scope for Saad followers to hold Ijtema."

The home adviser said if the two sides solve the problems through talks, then the Saad followers would be able to participate in Ijtema.

The government has not cancelled the date of Ijtema, he said, adding "Let them discuss."

The adviser further said that the attackers would face justice. "There is no scope to spare killers under any circumstances."