At least 100 people were injured Saturday night during a violent clash between students of a Hathazari-based Islamic seminary and Sunni supporters, authorities in Bangladesh said.
The incident began around 8:30 p.m. when students from Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Muinul Islam Madrasah allegedly attacked buses carrying Sunni devotees returning from a Jashn-e-Julus religious procession, police said. The unrest was reportedly triggered by a Facebook post showing a youth making obscene gestures in front of the madrasah mosque. Police said the youth, identified as Arian Ibrahim, 19, of Fatikchhari, was arrested earlier in the day.
Medical officials said 15 of the injured were in critical condition and were transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment.
In response to the violence, authorities banned all public gatherings and rallies in Hathazari until Sunday afternoon. The order restricted groups to no more than five people and prohibited any weapons or processions.
The Bangladesh Islami Front condemned the attack and accused extremist elements of targeting peaceful participants in the religious event. Police deployed additional personnel in the area as tensions remained elevated.
No arrests related to the violence were immediately announced.