The Hathazari upazila administration on Sunday held a ‘peace’ meeting between representatives of qawmi madrassah students and Sunni groups after violent clashes in Chattogram’s Hathazari left more than a hundred people injured on Saturday over a Facebook post.
The meeting, held at the office of the upazila nirbahi officer, Md Abdullah Al Mumin, from 4:40pm to 6:00pm on Sunday, was joined by senior government officials, including additional deputy commissioner of Chattogram Syed Mahmudur Rashid, assistant superintendent of police (Hathazari circle) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz and Major Shahriar of 15 IAS Field Firing Range.
Ten representatives from each side attended the meeting — Mufti Jasim Uddin and Ashraf Ali Nizampuri on behalf of the Hathazari Madrassah, and Professor Gias Uddin Chowdhury and Nasir Uddin Rubel on behalf of the Sunnis.
At the meeting, it was agreed that the upazila administration would cover medical expenses for the injured and provide compensation to affected traders in the clashes. It was also decided that all processions from Charia Madrassah to Hathazari bus stand must move without playing music or sound systems, while the administration assured that no one would be harassed in connection with the clashes.
Both sides pledged to help maintain peace in the area.
Additional superintendent of police (Hathazari circle) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz said, ‘Today’s meeting was fruitful, as both parties pledged to maintain peace and order in the area.’
The law and order situation is currently normal, and the army, RAB, and police are patrolling the area to prevent any untoward incident, he said.
About the arrestee, he said that the youth arrested in connection with the incident was sent to jail through court under Section 54 on Sunday, although no case was filed by either side till Sunday night.
Sunday noon, both groups held press conferences, presenting different versions of the incident.
At a press conference, Mufti Khalil Ahmad Qasemi, director general of Al Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam, alleged that the violence was the result of a planned provocation by Sunnis who passed by the madrassah with loud music, offensive gestures and offensive slogans, even throwing stones at the graves of late madrassah leaders.
He said that madrassah students were kept inside until 8:00pm but were later attacked when they went out for essentials, leaving over a hundred injured.
He demanded punishment for the attackers and those spreading provocative content online, and urged the government to provide treatment and compensation for injured students.
In contrast, the Bangladesh Islami Front issued a statement condemning what it described as a premeditated attack by Hathazari madrassah students on Eid-e-Miladunnabi processions.
Party chairman Allama MA Matin and secretary general Allama SUM Abdus Samad alleged that madrassah students threw hot water, bricks and sticks at devotees, injuring more than 50 people.
The party demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers and warned that violence against ‘peaceful’ devotees could have ‘serious consequences’.
Earlier, at about 8:00pm on Saturday, violence erupted after an ‘objectionable video’ was posted on Facebook from an account named ‘Arian Ibrahim’, sparking protests at Hathazari.
Madrassah students staged demonstrations near the institution, blocking Chattogram–Rangamati and Khagrachhari roads, which brought traffic to a standstill.
At about 8:30pm, protesters vandalised two buses at Hathazari bus stand, intensifying the situation.
Police later detained the youth who allegedly made the post.
According to the Chattogram Civil Surgeon Office, more than 100 people were injured in the clashes, with most of them treated at Hathazari Upazila Health Complex.
At least 22 were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Civil surgeon Jahangir Alam said on Sunday that all the injured were now out of danger.
Amid the unrest, the Hathazari upazila administration imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure from 10:00pm Saturday to 3:00pm Sunday, restricting all gatherings, processions and public movement in designated areas to prevent further clashes and restore order.
