Section 144 Imposed in Habiganj Ahead of Scheduled Waz Mahfil
Habiganj, Bangladesh – Authorities have invoked Section 144 in the Shimulghar area of Madhabpur Upazila, Habiganj, in anticipation of a planned Waz Mahfil featuring prominent religious speaker Mufti Giyas Uddin Taheri. The gathering was slated for Saturday afternoon in a field adjacent to the local village hospital.
The directive, which prohibits any form of public assembly, was officially issued on Friday by Zahid Bin Kasem, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Madhabpur. This precautionary measure comes amidst allegations of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the event.
Organizers Express Concerns Over Disruption Attempts
According to local residents, the Waz Mahfil was being organized by a committee spearheaded by Mufti Muzammel Haque. Mufti Giyas Uddin Taheri was scheduled to deliver the keynote address. The event also had Advocate Aminul Islam, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, as the invited chief guest, with local Union Parishad Chairman Minhaz Uddin Chowdhury set to preside.
Mufti Muzammel Haque Masumi, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, voiced his concerns, alleging that a specific group is actively working to derail the Mahfil by providing misleading information to the administration. “We are appealing for the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that our program can proceed as planned,” he stated.
Local UP member Kamal Mia echoed these sentiments, asserting that the imposition of Section 144 was unwarranted. “This order was unnecessary. It was imposed with the intention of obstructing Taheri Huzur’s Mahfil. We sincerely hope that the event can take place peacefully,” Mia commented.
Conflicting Event and Fake Posters Fuel Confusion
Adding to the complexity of the situation, reports have surfaced regarding a separate Waz Mahfil being advertised by a group operating under the banner “Noore Madina Gauciya.” Posters for this conflicting event listed speakers and officials who, according to local sources, were not even aware of any such program.
Residents allege that vested interests are behind the creation of these fabricated posters. The intention, they claim, is to sow confusion among the public and deliberately mislead the authorities, thereby creating a pretext for disrupting the original Mahfil. The local mosque imam, Maulana Rokon Uddin Salehi, whose name was prominently displayed as the president on one of these purported posters, has vehemently denied any involvement, calling the advertisement “entirely fake.”
Sohel Rana, the Officer-in-Charge of Madhabpur Police Station, confirmed that the administration’s decision to implement Section 144 was a precautionary step. He cited the potential for communal unrest arising from the simultaneous scheduling of two rival Waz Mahfils in the same geographical vicinity as the primary concern driving the administrative action.
Political Background of Key Speaker
It is noteworthy that Mufti Giyas Uddin Taheri has a recent political history in the region. He previously contested the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12, representing the Bangladesh Islami Front. While he secured a substantial 84,323 votes, he ultimately lost the election to S.M. Faisal of the BNP. This electoral participation may add another layer to the dynamics surrounding the current situation.
The imposition of Section 144 highlights the sensitivity surrounding public gatherings in the area and the challenges faced by organizers in ensuring their events proceed without interference, particularly when conflicting interests and misinformation are present. The administration’s primary objective appears to be maintaining public order and preventing any potential escalation of tensions.
