CHITTAGONG. Nov 10: Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islam! Chhatra Shibir clashed with police at Sirajuddowla Road and Andarkllla here today, leading more than 100 people Including 20 policemen injured.

The trouble began at around 1:30 pm when police prevented activists of Jamaat and Its student front Shibir from taking out a militant procession from Andarkllla Jame Mosque after Juma prayers. They tried to bring out the procession in support of their earlier announced tafsir mahfil by Jamaat central leader Del war Hossain Saidl at Parade Ground to be held from November 13 to 17.

The district administration yesterday Imposed a ban on holding rallies, processions at Parade Ground and its surrounding areas till November 17 apprehending a violent clash centring tafsir mahfil as Bangladesh Chhatra League also announced a programme at the same venue on the same date protesting I he Bahaddarhat carnage.

Facing stiff resistance from police. Jamaat-Shibir activists started throwing stones and firing gunshots at the police. Police also returned fire, lobbed tear gas canisters and clubbed tlie militant activists during the clash that continued for one and a half hours.

Police said Shlbir cadres abducted former MP and Satkania upazila Awami League general secretary Dr B M Foyzur Rahman from in front of Andarkllla Jame Mosque while he was returning home after offering Juma prayers.

Police rescued a seriously Injured Rahman from an abandoned house adjacent to the mosque at about 5-30 pm. He was severely beaten up reportedly by Shlbir cadres.

Police sources said Foyzur Rahman prevented the Shlbir men from distributing leaflets among the Musullls inside the mosque protesting ban on hold Ing tafsir mahfil at Parade

Ground.

Shopkeepers on Chawkbazar-Andarkilla road kept iheir shutters down while vehicles went off the streets during the clash.

Police arrested 73 Jamaat-Shlbir activists from different parts of the city following tlie clash.

Police filed a case against tlie arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA) with Kotwali thana.

Additional police forces were deployed at Parade Ground and its surrounding areas.

BCL Chittagong Unit held a rally at the Shaheed Minar In tlie afternoon demanding ban on Jamaat-Shlbir politics.

On the other hand. Musulli Parishad held police responsible for 'desecrating’ the sanctity of the mosque.

Meanwhile. Jamaat yesterday called a 96-hour hartal in greater Chittagong from November 13 protesting imposition of ban on tafsir mahfil.

The four-party opposition alliance also extended Its support to hartal call.

UNB adds: The liaison committee of the four-party opposition alliance today condemned tlie government action to prevent a five-day tafsir mahfil in Chittagong bv imposing Section 144.

Tlie committee in a statement criticised today's police action on the musuliis after Juma prayers.