The International Khatme Nubuwat Movement Bangladesh, a forum of Islamist bigots, faced a serious rift yesterday after one of its leaders postponed its movement against the Ahmadiyya community in the wake of August 17 countrywide bomb blasts.

Mufti Noor Hussain Noorani, senior nayeb-e-amir (vice-president) of the organisation, announced the postponement at a press conference at Grand Azad Hotelin the city.

But as soon as the press conference ended, Amir (president) of the organisation Mahmudul Hasan Mamtazi along with Secretary General Nazmul Haq and other leaders stormed into the venue and scolded him for his announcement.

The amir then told reporters that their agitation against Ahmadiyyas will continue. The organisation is due to hold a mass rally and 'court arrest' programme on September 30 demanding that Ahmadiyyas be declared 'non-Muslim'.

Both the leaders were also locked in an altercation at the press conference.

Terming Noorani an agent of the Indian intelligence agency, the amir said, "We have expelled him three days ago for making similar statements."

Instantly, Noorani dismissed the allegation of his involvement with the Indian intelligence agency and said, "In the future, movement against Ahmediyyas will be carried out under my leadership."

He also said that he has not been expelled. "The amir has no right to expel me."

Earlier, at the press conference, Noorani, also a leader of the Islamic Constitution Movement, said, "If we continue our movement in the wake of August 17 bomb blasts, our dear motherland may fall in new trouble internationally. So, we have postponed all our action programmes against Ahmadiyya Muslim minority."

He also urged the prime minister to resolve the Ahmadiyyaissue.

He said those who have made the bomb attacks on August 17 are the enemy of the nation as well as Islam.