Clash over mosque between 2 Muslim sects in Bangladesh turns violent

A violent clash between two Muslim sects in Bangladesh, who were at loggerheads over the control of a crucial mosque in northeastern port city of Chittagong, today left at least 20 people injured and gutted 20 shops.

At least 20 people were injured and 20 shops were set on fire in the clash between the followers of relatively hardliner Wahabi sect and Sunni group over the dominance of a mosque during Friday prayers, witnesses and officials said.

"The two groups are at loggerheads for long to establish control over the mosque and the clash began after both the groups offered prayers at the mosque," a police officer said.

A local journalist, quoting witnesses, said the feuding groups used sticks and wooden bars and brickbats prompting intervention of elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and armed police with batons and tear gas canisters.

"RAB and policemen are now guarding the area while officials have invited leaders of both groups for negotiation for settlement of the feud," he said.

According to witnesses, the clash erupted during the Friday prayers when followers of Wahabi Sunni sects gathered at a mosque in suburban Patia area.

The official said the local administration had earlier asked the local residents not to offer prayers at the mosque to prevent violence, "but both the groups gathered today defying the request".