Following at least two deaths resulting from clashes over the control of the Bishwa Ijtema ground in Tongi, Gazipur, followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi on Wednesday expressed regret and announced their decision to vacate the venue.
The announcement came from Reza Arif, representative of the Maulana Saad faction of the Tabligh Jamaat, after a meeting with five advisers of the interim government at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said that after leaving the ground, the government will take over it.
"We have decided to vacate the field to avoid any further issues. We have always followed the government's instructions in the past, and we will respect the government’s decision now as well. We will go our separate ways, and law enforcement will assist us in passing through Kamarpara."
In response to journalists' questions, he said: "We sincerely regret the incident. As Muslims and citizens of this country, we acknowledge that what happened was wrong. Fighting between Muslims is completely unacceptable. We apologize sincerely for this."
After the clashes over the occupation of the Ijtema ground, which resulted in casualties, a meeting was held with Maulana Saad's followers at 11am with the five advisers of the interim government.
They sat with the Maulana Zubair faction's representatives later.
Clashes erupted repeatedly between supporters of Maulana Zubair and Maulana Saad over the control of Tongi's Bishwa Ijtema grounds early in the day, leaving at least two dead and many others injured.
The deceased were Bachchu Mia, 70, hailing from Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj, and Belal Hossain, 60, from Dakshinkhan in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Maulana Zubair faction media coordinator Habibullah Raihan claimed another person died in the skirmish.
He identified the third victim as Taizul Islam, 65, a resident of Bogra.