Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- The government has decided that neither of the two groups will be allowed to hold the Biswa Ijtema at Tongi early next year, and the home ministry has instructed the police chief to deny permissions.

In a letter sent to the inspector general of police on Tuesday, the ministry referred to separate applications from followers of Maulana Saad Kandhlvi and the Zubairul Hasan faction seeking permission to hold events at the Tongi Ijtema ground - the "Khurujer Jor" from Jan 2-4 and "Biswa Ijtema-2026" from Jan 22-24.

The ministry said no gatherings should be allowed at the venue ahead of the parliamentary election and the referendum, slated for Feb 12, and asked police to ensure that the schedule is not approved.

Mufti Mu'a...