At least 100 people were injured, and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed as Hathazari qawmi madrasa students and Sunni supporters clashed in Chattogram鈥檚 Hathazari upazila on Saturday evening following the circulation of an 鈥榦bjectionable video鈥� on Facebook.
In an official notice signed by Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Abdullah Al Mumin in the evening, it was stated that Section 144 has been enforced to bring the situation under control, protect public life and property, and maintain peace and order.
The restrictions will remain in force from 10:00pm Saturday to 3:00pm Sunday, covering the areas from Mirerhat to Egaro Mile Substation and from the Upazila Gate to the Agricultural Training Institute of Hathazari, including both sides of the roads and adjacent areas.
During this period, all kinds of meetings, processions, demonstrations, public gatherings, carrying of explosives, firearms, or any local weapons, and movement or gathering of five or more people in the restricted areas have been completely prohibited.
Hathazari Upazila Health Complex resident doctor Sohanaya Akter said that following the clashes, over 107 people have received primary treatment at the upazila health complex so far. Of them, 22 were referred on an emergency basis to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for advanced care.
The violence broke out after a Facebook post from an account named Arian Ibrahim targeting Hathazari鈥檚 Al Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam Madrasa went viral. Agitated madrasa students staged demonstrations in the evening, blocking Chattogram鈥揜angamati and Khagrachhari roads and halting vehicular movement in the Sadar area.
Around 8:10pm, protesters vandalised two buses at Hathazari bus stand, intensifying the tension.
Fatikchhari police station officer-in-charge Nur Ahmad said, 鈥榃e have detained the person who posted on Facebook for interrogation. Legal action will be taken later based on the complaint.鈥�
Local sources said that Arian identified himself as president of Ward No. 3 Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) in Fatikchhari. However, Fatikchhari JCD president Ekram Ullah Chowdhury said, 鈥楬e is misusing the organisation鈥檚 name. We are taking organisational steps against him and urged the administration to take legal measures.鈥�
Additional superintendent of police (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz said additional forces had been deployed and efforts were underway to calm both sides through discussion with local leaders.
