Scores were injured including police officials after clashes broke out between Jamaat-Shibir activists and police in Chattogram over the gayebana janaza (funeral prayers in absentia) of convicted war criminal and Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi.
Police detained 30 activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from the scene during the melee.
The violence broke out in front of Kazir Dewri and Almas cinema hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Later, it spread to different parts of the city including Kazir Dewri Mor, Wasar Mor, GEC Mor and Lalkhan Bazar.
According to witnesses, the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were preparing to offer gayebana janaza for Sayeedi at Jamiyatul Falah Mosque ground in the Wasa Mor area of the city.
When the law enforcers blocked the main gate of Jamiyatul Falah in an attempt to foil the janaza, an argument broke out subsequently turning into a chase-counter chase between the police and Jamaat-Shibir activists.
Witnesses said police had to lob teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Jahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said jamaat-shibir leaders and activists started gathering around Jamiyatul Falah Mosque since the afternoon without permission for the funeral prayers.
“From there they attacked the police. However, we brought the situation under control immediately as we were prepared. Several police officers were injured. Things are normal now.”
Kotwali police arrested more than 30 leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir from the spot, said OC Jahidul.
The convicted war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi died on Monday night while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
