2 killed, 30 hurt as Islamists clash with cops
Two persons were killed and at least 30 others, including seven policemen, were injured yesterday in a clash between law enforcers and supporters of some Islamist organisations who were demonstrating against a programme of the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh.
The agitators set fire to 30 houses and four shops belonging to Ahmadiyyas, and attacked a local police station, vehicles of law enforcers and a traffic police office.
According to locals and police, Ahmadiyyas organised a three-day Jalsa Salana, their annual gathering, at Ahmednagar in Panchagarh Sadar upazila. The programme was scheduled to begin at noon.
But leaders and activists of several Islamist organisations, including the Islamic Andolon Bangladesh, were staging demonstrations since Thursday demanding cancellation of the event.
After Juma prayers yesterday, they gathered at the town's Chowrangi intersection, brought out a procession and started marching towards the venue.
The clash ensued as police obstructed the procession. The agitators hurled brick chips at the law enforcers, and in retaliation, police charged batons and fired teargas shells.
At one stage, the mob took position surrounding Panchagarh Sadar Police Station and hurled brick chips targeting police around 3:30pm, said Akhterul Islam, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the police station.
Two vehicles -- one of police and another of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) -- were damaged. The protesters also vandalised and torched a traffic police office in Dhakkamara area, said locals and police.
Besides, the agitators blocked the Korotoa Bridge, the main entrance to the town, around 4:00pm. It caused public suffering as traffic remained halted for around one and a half hours.
Around 5:30pm, the protesters marched again to Ahmednagar, an area on the town's south-eastern part where Ahmadiyya community people reside, and vandalised 30 houses and four shops.
"As we came under attack, we were compelled to stop our programme," said Mahmud Ahmed, a member of the Ahmadiyya community.
Contacted, Md Abdullah, general secretary of Panchagarh unit of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, denied their involvement in the arson and said his party men were not involved in the incident.
COPS HURT, BGB DEPLOYED
At least seven policemen were injured during the violence, said the district's police chief, SM Sirajul Huda, around 8:00pm.
Police brought the situation under control and additional law enforcers were deployed to maintain law and order, he added.
Seventeen platoons of border guards were deployed in the area to maintain law and order, said a BGB statement.
Talking to The Daily Star last night, SM Sirajul Huda, superintendent of police in Panchagarh, said the deceased have been identified as Arifur Rahman, 26, and Jahid Hasan, 23.
Arifur, a resident of Masjidpara area, used to work at a local printing press, said locals.
He was returning home from a mosque after offering Juma prayers. He sustained bullet injuries in his head, said his relatives.
Arifur was rushed to Panchagarh Sadar Modern Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital but he died on the way, said the relatives.
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