Bangladesh
Cox's Bazar Clash after Sayeedi's funeral prayer in Cox's Bazar, 1 shot dead
Dhaka, August 16: Miscreants committed violent incidents in Chakria and Pekua of Cox's Bazar after the funeral of Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity. The vehicles of OC, UNO, Health Officer, Aceland and other government officials were damaged in the attack by the people attending the funeral. One person was killed in a shootout during the violence. At least 20 policemen including the OCs of two police stations were injured.
The attack took place on Tuesday, August 15 around 3:30 pm in Chiringa Old Jame Masjid area of Chakriya and Barbakia Bazaar in Pekua. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station Javed Mahmud and OC of Pekua Police Station Mohammad Omar Haider informed this information. The injured policemen are being treated at Pekua and Chakaria Upazila Health Complex.
Forkanul Islam (60), who was killed in the shooting, was a resident of Abdul Baripara, Ward No. 1 of Chakaria Municipality. He used to run a tea shop at the head of Chiringa road.
According to local sources, the Cox's Bazar District Jamaat had announced the funeral of Sayeedi, who died on Monday night, on Tuesday afternoon. Based on that source, the funeral was supposed to be held at the Chakaria Pilot School ground. But the District Jamaat changed their decision and preached the decision to pray only after the Waqtia Namaz in the mosque at noon. However, followers of Jamaat and Sayeedi started gathering at Chakaria Pilot School ground around 3 pm. From there they came to Chiringa Old Jame Masjid and joined in prayer.
They left the mosque around 3:30 pm. Meanwhile Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), OC of Chakaria Police Station, Upazila Health Officer were returning in their respective vehicles with relief to the local Sickolghat area affected by recent floods. As soon as their car reached the Chiringa area of Lama, it crashed in front of people returning from Gayebana Doa. Before realizing anything, they started attacking the administration vehicle. UNO's car escaped being hit by speeding, but the Upazila Health Officer, OC's car was vandalized. One person was killed in the shooting.
Purvita Chakma, UNO of Pekua, said, "We went to the spot after getting the news that people attacked the police car after the Ghaibana janaza. Meanwhile, someone threw bricks at our car. My car's rear light is damaged. I learned that Aceland's car suffered a little more damage. From the situation, it seems that unscrupulous people have used teenagers or children in the attack."
