Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat demonstrates in Ctg protesting denial of permission for Dhaka rally

Supporters of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat demonstrated and blocked roads in the Muradpur area of Chattogram last night (24 April), after the Ministry of Home Affairs denied permission for a mass rally in Dhaka in protest against the Israeli attacks on Palestine.

The protest began at around 10:30pm, with participants declaring that they would continue their demonstration at that spot until the government grants permission for the rally.

The blockade caused long traffic jams on the road. Roads in Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Gate No 2 and surrounding areas were blocked, causing suffering to the commuters.

In Sitakunda's Madam Bibir Hat area, Sunni Jamaat protesters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and set tires on fire during their demonstration. This created panic among drivers and passengers in the area.

Police said they vandalised a car in the city's AK Khan area around 1am, shortly before withdrawing the blockade. 

Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Amirul Islam said police had arrived at the scene and tried to calm the protesters.

Earlier, leaders of the Sunni Jamaat have announced a mass rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan on 26 April, in protest against the ongoing Israeli offensive in Palestine.

However, their official request for permission was rejected by the home ministry yesterday evening.

As the news of the denial spread, Sunni Jamaat supporters began gathering around the Jamia Ahmadiyya Sunnia Madrasa in Muradpur from 10pm. By 10:30pm, they took to the streets and began marching in protest.

According to Mohammad Solaiman, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish Police Station, the protesters withdrew the blockade around 1am. 

When asked, Mawlana Muhammad Enam Reza, a member of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat's subcommittee, said if permission for the 'Mass Gathering for Palestine' is not granted by 10am on Friday (25 April), a protest procession will be taken out from the city's Jamiatul Falah Mosque after Friday prayers.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations), Mahmuda Begum, told TBS that although there were protests last night, the situation is now under control. She added that additional police forces will be deployed across the city in anticipation of protest marches following Friday prayers.