Clash at Hathazari: Authorities Vow Medical Care for Injured and Financial Compensation

In the aftermath of the violent clashes between madrasah students and the Sunni community in Hathazari, a reconciliation meeting was held on 7 September at the Upazila Parishad auditorium. The meeting, chaired by the Hathazari upazila administration, aimed to address the ongoing tensions and find a peaceful resolution.

The areas affected by the prohibitions under Section 144 are Mirerhat to Eleven Mile Substation and from the upazila gate to the Agriculture Training Institute. UNO Abdullah imposed Section 144 in the area from 10pm yesterday until 3pm today, prohibiting gatherings of more than five people, rallies, processions, carrying explosives or firearms, and any kind of assembly.

The unrest was sparked by a controversial Facebook post made by Arian Ibrahim, a resident of Fatikchhari municipality. Arian was arrested on the evening before the Hathazari riots for uploading a photo making obscene gestures in front of the Hathazari madrasah mosque. The post went viral on social media, causing tension in the area.

Representatives from Hathazari madrasah and the Sunni community were present at the meeting, expressing their concerns and voicing their demands for justice. The administration pledged to provide compensation for those affected by the clash, repair damaged buildings, and ensure medical treatment for the injured, which number at least 100.

In an effort to prevent future incidents, the administration decided to form a joint volunteer team with members from both groups. The team will address any form of public disturbance and work under the supervision of the upazila administration to prevent noise pollution during religious events.

The meeting marked a significant step towards restoring peace and harmony in the affected areas. The community leaders and the administration expressed their hope that the joint efforts will lead to a lasting solution and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.