21 hurt as protesters attack Ahmadiyyas

Shops and houses belonging to members of the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh have been attacked by followers of several religious organisations, bdnews24.com.

At least 21 people were injured during the attack at Ahmadnagar on Tuesday night after resentment grew among Sunni groups about a 'Jalsha' or annual convention planned by the minority Ahmadiyyas.

Faced with the protests from conservative groups, the district authorities after a series of meetings had on Tuesday cancelled the three-day Jalsha that was scheduled to start in Ahmadnagar on Feb 22.

But followers of groups including the Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Shongrokkhon Parishad descended on the streets of Ahmadnagar, the part of the town where members of the minority Muslim sect have their homes and businesses.

Police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to bring back order while the attackers demanded the cancellation of the Jalsha.

Of those injured in the violence, one person has suffered critical injuries, said Panchagarh Central Hospital resident physician Pradip Kumar Banik.

Since early February, followers of conservative groups were protesting the Jalsha under the banners of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Shongrokkhon Parishad, Iman Akida Raksha Committee, Islami Jubo Samaj and local Towhidi Janata.