Sit-in called in Kakrail for ban on pro-Saad groups

A group of followers of senior cleric Maulana Zubair Ahmed identifying themselves as "Shuraye Nizam" have announced an indefinite sit-in protest in Kakrail from Thursday morning to mount pressure on the authorities to ban their rival faction loyal to Indian preacher Maulana Md Saad Kandhalvi.

Supporters of Maulana Zubair have also announced that the Saad loyalists will not be allowed to conduct any activities at the Bishwa Ijtema grounds in Tongi and in Kakrail Mosque.

The followers of Zubair made the announcement during a press conference at the Kakrail Mosque premises on Tuesday, reports bdnews24.com.

Kefayetullah Azhari, the principal of Jamiatul Manhal Al Qawmia Madrasah in Uttara, said: “All activities of the Saad loyalists must be banned by the state; those involved in the attack in Tongi must be arrested and brought to justice; it must be ensured that all Tabligh activities, including the Kakrail Markaz and Tongi Ijtema grounds, are carried out under the supervision of the "Shuraye Nizam".

The press conference, which was organised to demand justice for the attack and murder of Tabligh Jamaat members, madrasa students, and teachers at the Tongi Ijtema grounds on Dec 17, claimed that the pro-Saad faction receive support from India and Israel.

On Nov 5, Maulana Zubair followers held a rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan pushing for a nine-point charter of demand, including the call for a ban on the pro-Saad groups.

On Dec 17, followers of Zubair and Saad clashed over the right to hold a religious assembly at the Bishwa Ijtema grounds. At least three people were reportedly killed and many followers of both the factions were injured in the clash.

At the press conference, Azhari alleged that Saad's supporters attacked Tabligh members who were in charge of organising and guarding the Ijtema grounds in Tongi with weapons like iron rods, and machetes.

The day after the clash, Mamunul Haque, the leader of Qawmi Madrasah-based organisation Hifazat-e Islam, appeared before journalists after a meeting with the home affairs advisor at the Secretariat.

He accused "pro-Saad terrorists" of carrying out the attack, and demanded that they be banned. On Dec 20, Hifazat-e Islam held a press conference in Chattogram calling for the same demand.

Referring to pro-Saad faction as a “terrorist and extremist force,” Azhari said: "A case has been filed against many people, including their masterminds. However, no steps are being taken to arrest the accused and bring them to justice. The role of the law enforcement deployed to secure the grounds on Dec 17 is also questionable.”

"Given the situation, it seems that the fascist Awami League government and their allies conspired to destabilise the country through the Saad loyalists. Some national dailies have published reports that they have direct support from a neighbouring country and Israel in implementing this plan."

Announcing a sit-in in Kakrail and surrounding areas from 9am on Thursday, Azhari said: "This sit-in will continue until the murderers are arrested and pro-Saad supporters are banned."

"However, the programme will be peaceful and will not block roads or cause public suffering."