Houses gutted, 10 injured in clash over Ahmadiyya gathering in Panchagarh

A clash broke out between police and certain religious elements in Panchagarh as the latter brought out a rally demanding a halt to the gathering of the Ahmadiyyas, a sect of Islam formed by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

The clash, leaving at least 10 injured including three policemen, ensued on Friday around 2:00 pm at Chowrangi intersection of Panchagarh city. According to the eyewitnesses, devotees from different mosques gathered at Chowrangi intersection after Jummah prayer.

Then they brought out a rally and tried to move towards Ahmednagar village, around two kilometres away from the city. At that time police intercepted their movement, leading to a clash between both parties. The agitated devotees pelted stones at police.

In retaliation, police fired tear gas shells to disperse the gatherings. The mobs took out the products of four shops at city area and set them on fire. Apart from this, they torched an office of traffic police and at least 20 to 25 houses at Ahmednagar village.  

The identities of the injured persons -- who are undergoing treatment at different hospitals -- have not been known immediately. It is learnt that the Ahmadiyyas organised a three-day congregation, which began on Friday and continued up to Saturday and Sunday.

Earlier on Thursday morning, different religious groups staged a protest at Chowrangi intersection blocking the highway in demand of suspending the gathering.  

Although the situation was brought under control in the city area, as of writing the report at 7:11 pm, the clash was going on at Dakkamara area, between Panchagarh city and Ahmednagar village.  

Around 3:45 pm, deputy commissioner of Panchagarh, Md Zahurul Islam, told Prothom Alo that they are trying to pacify the devotees.