One person was killed and several others, including police officers, were injured and a police car was vandalized in clashes between Jamaat-e-Islami activists and police over Jamaat's attempt to hold an absentee funeral prayer for the late Delawar Hossain Sayedee in Cox's Bazar's Chakaria and Pekua areas on Tuesday.
The deceased was Forkanur Rahman, 45, a Jamaat activist.
Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police Md Mahfuzul Islam confirmed the matter.
At least 15 people, including the officer-in-charge of a local police station, suffered injuries.
The injured policemen were admitted to Chakaria and Pekua upazila health complexes.
SP Mahfuzul said: “After the absentee funeral prayer, Jamaat activists launched an attack on police, resulting in the vandalism of a police car. During the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Javed Mahmud and five to six policemen sustained injuries.”
"We received information that a Jamaat worker was killed during the clash. The injured policemen have been taken to hospital for treatment,” he added.
“On the same day, Jamaat activists attacked police after a funeral prayer for Sayedee in Pekua. The incident took place at Barbakia Bazar in the upazila around 3pm on Tuesday. The injured policemen are being treated at Pekua Upazila Health Complex.”
The injured policemen inlcude Pekua police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Omar Haider, Inspector (Investigation) Sudipta Shekhar Bhattacharya and Sub-Inspector (SI) Mohammad Shahinul Islam.
According to Pekua police, funeral prayers for Delawar Hossain Sayeedee were held at Barbakia Bazar in Pekua. A police patrol team was present there to maintain law and order. After the prayers, the late Jamaat’ leaders followers hurled brickbats at police. On receiving the information, the OC went to the spot with additional forces. At that time, Jamaat activists who had come to the funeral gathered and attacked the police officers. Eight police officers were injured. Legal action is being taken in this regard.
