ছবি: Photo: Collected
Gazipur’s Tongi Ijtema ground witnessed a mass departure of devotees starting Wednesday (December 18) afternoon. Following instructions from the local administration, devotees began leaving the area after 2 PM due to escalating tensions surrounding a violent clash over control of the grounds. The altercation, which resulted in fatalities, prompted immediate action from authorities to clear the area and prevent further incidents.
By midday, most devotees had vacated the premises. To ensure compliance, all gates to the Ijtema ground were locked after noon, barring any further entry. Those still inside faced challenges leaving the area, with some scaling walls or gates to exit. Outside the ground, several individuals were seen searching for their relatives, further adding to the chaos of the day.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police issued a public notice prohibiting entry to the Ijtema ground until further instructions. Commissioner Nazmul Karim formally announced the directive on Wednesday afternoon, citing public safety concerns as the primary reason.
A devotee, speaking anonymously, shared that most attendees had left before the official directive was enforced. “The authorities used loudspeakers to ask us to leave the grounds, and now we are doing so,” he stated.
To maintain order, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been stationed around the area. Additional security measures, including the deployment of water cannons and riot control vehicles, were observed in the vicinity of the Ijtema ground.
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