Police start case against 600 unidentified people over Baitul Mukarram clashes

Police have started a case against 500 to 600 unidentified people over the series of clashes between Islamist groups and law enforcers in Dhaka on the premises of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on March 26.

The case was filed with the Paltan police station the same night, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Bakar Siddique told Dhaka Tribune on Monday.

Charges of assaulting law enforcers, obstruction of police duty and arson have been brought in the case, he said.

Dozens of people, including several journalists, were injured in the clashes in the afternoon on March 26 when the country was celebrating 50 years of independence.

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Activists of several Islamist groups, including hardliner Hefazat-e-Islam, started demonstrating after Friday prayers, protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to join the Independence Day celebrations.

Police intervened when the demonstrators tried to take out a procession from the mosque. Soon after, the commotion turned violent when the police had to resort to baton-charge the protestors and demonstrators started to hurl stones.

The situation escalated quickly and the police fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

A group of men, who according to media reports were activists of Awami League and its affiliate bodies, wearing helmets and armed with sticks were also seen at the scene, locking in a clash with the protesters.