Dhaka: The vehicular movement on the western side of the busy Airport Road remained halted from Airport Crossing to Abdullahpur since Saturday morning following a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat.

Top leader of Tabligh Jamaat Maulana Saad Kandhalv’s supporters and their rivals locked into a clash at Airport Intersection around 8 am, said Traffic Inspector Asad of Abdullahpur Zone, reports the UNB.

Following it, a chase and counter chase took place between the two groups creating panic among the city dwellers as well as creating a heavy gridlock from Mahakhali intersection to Uttara.

For last couple of days, anti-Saad group have taken position on the Ijtema Maidan in Tongi, said the traffic inspector adding that the clash ensued on Saturday morning when the followers of Maulana Saad tried to enter the ground.

The supporters of Maulana Jubayer took position in front of the entry gate of the Ijtema field and another group who support Maulana Saad Kandhalv obstructed them from entering the field, reports our Gazipur correspondent from the spot.

The follower of Maulana Saad started to gather in front of the maidan from 6:00am on Saturday and took position in front of main gate.

Meanwhile, additional police with armoured vehicles and water cannons have been deployed to avoid untoward situation.

The conflict between the two factions continued from the last session of Biswa Ijtema, Tabligh Jamaat’s annual event and the largest Muslim congregation after the hajj.

The groups locked into another clash over the conflict at Dhaka’s Kakrail Mosque, the headquarters of the religious group’s Bangladesh chapter, in April last.