30 injured as Chhatra Shibir, Jubo Dal clash over mosque event in Noakhali
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At least 30 people have been injured when activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal clashed over a planned event at a mosque in Noakhali’s Sadar Upazila.
The violence broke out on Sunday afternoon in the area around Kashem Bazar Jame Masjid in Neazpur Union, said Sudharam Model Police Station chief (OC) Kamrul Islam.
After the clash, Jamaat-e-Islami’s student front Chhatra Shibir activists took position inside the mosque while BNP’s youth wing Juba Dal activists gathered outside.
Police and Army personnel have been deployed to stabilise the situation.
The injured have been admitted to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital. Their identities were not immediately known.
Police and witnesses said Chhatra Shibir activists organised a Quran learning programme at the mosque after Asr prayers on Saturday. Neazpur Union Jubo Dal President Jashim Uddin objected, triggering an exchange of words and scuffles.
On Sunday noon, Shibir filed a general diary (GD) at Sudharam Model Police Station alleging an attack on their programme.
The group then announced a Dars-ul-Quran competition at the mosque for later that afternoon, after which the two sides clashed.
Witnesses said Shibir supporters remained inside the mosque while Juba Dal activists demonstrated outside.
Habibur Rahman Arman, a member of Chhatra Shibir’s central executive council and president of its Noakhali city unit, said: “Juba Dal attacked a peaceful programme. Our brothers are lying injured in the mosque. Law enforcement is standing by silently. BNP and Jubo Dal activists are repeatedly attacking the mosque.”
Kamal Uddin Babul, former president of Neazpur Union BNP, denied the allegations.
He said, “After prayers, Shibir attacked our activists from the mosque. Many were injured, including the two brothers of union Jubo Dal convener Faruk. They are launching repeated attacks from inside the mosque.”
Noakhali district Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Amin Khan added, “Saturday’s incident was resolved locally, but today’s clash erupted because of Shibir’s programme.”
OC Kamrul Islam said it took some time for police to reach the spot, but the situation is now under control.