March 26 Mayhem: Mamunul, 16 others sued

A case was filed against Hefajat-e Islam Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and 16 others with the capital's Paltan Model Police Station on Monday.

It was filed for allegedly torching vehicles, vandalising shops and looting valuables near the Baitul Mukarram national mosque during Hefajat's demonstrations on March 26, Abu Bakar Siddique, officer-in-charge of the police station, told The Daily Star.

Khandaker Arif-uz-Zaman, a businessman of Wari area, lodged the case against them, the OC said.

Arif-uz-Zaman is also the deputy office secretary of Dhaka South Jubo League.

Besides, 2,000-3,000 unidentified people were accused in the case, added the police official.

The clash had ensued when Hefajat men brought out a procession from the north gate of the national mosque after Juma prayers, protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh.

Leaders and activists of Chhatra League, along with other ruling party men, who had taken position in nearby areas, threw brick chunks at the protesters, witnesses said.

Protesters, however, regrouped and attacked the ruling party men, leading to the clash.

Police tried to bring the situation under control by firing tear gas and rubber bullets. The clash continued for around two hours, said witnesses.

The tension eased after 5:00pm when the ruling party men left the area. Hefajat men left too.

The Daily Star correspondents saw seven burnt motorbikes near the north and south gates of the national mosque. City corporation employees were seen cleaning up the street.

More than 50 people were injured in the clash, according to witnesses and journalists.