Jamaat factions clash in Cumilla over city amir election

Tensions between two factions of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Cumilla city escalated into a clash on Wednesday evening, with a car allegedly vandalised over a dispute concerning the election of the party’s city unit amir.

The incident took place around 7:00 pm at the party’s city office in Moghaltuli. Police from Kotwali Model Police Station rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

The incident stemmed from a dispute over the election of the city unit amir, said Tawhidul Anowar, officer-in-charge of Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station.

He said legal action would be taken if a formal complaint was received.

Party sources said the current city unit Amir, Kazi Deen Mohammad, has been attached to the party’s central office in Dhaka for divisional responsibilities.

Under the party’s constitution, a senior leader is to be appointed as the new amir. The issue has reportedly fuelled a dispute between the groups.

Cumilla city unit amir Kazi Deen Mohammad said a previously scheduled meeting was underway at the party office when a group of young men entered and disrupted the programme.

He said they shouted and created a disturbance before leaving the meeting, vandalising a vehicle as they left.

Kazi Deen Mohammad added that the party was investigating the incident to identify those involved and determine the reasons behind it.