Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said that four people were killed in clashes and attacks at the Ijtema grounds.
He said this after holding separate meetings with the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat — followers of Maulana Zubair and Maulana Saad — at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said that there would be no leniency for those involved in the killings, and that legal cases would be filed to bring the culprits to justice.
The adviser also said that the government is prepared to provide medical assistance to the injured, if necessary.
According to police and hospital sources, three people were killed in the clashes over control of the Ijtema grounds in Tongi, Gazipur, between followers of Maulana Zubair and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi.
NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Commissioner (DC-Tongi Division) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, told media: "So far, we have confirmed the deaths of three individuals."
However, Maulana Mohammad Mamunul Haque, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said that four people were killed.
He added that this was not a case of deaths during clashes but that Saad followers attacked and killed four individuals.
The home affairs adviser also confirmed the death toll as four.
In response to the situation, the Home Ministry held separate meetings with the two factions.
Following these discussions, the adviser told reporters that those involved would be held accountable under the law.
When asked whether Saad followers would be allowed to participate in the Bishwa Ijtema, the adviser said: "If the two sides can resolve the matter through discussion, then Saad followers may participate in the Ijtema. The government has not canceled the dates for the Ijtema. Let them resolve it through dialogue."