Inqilab Mancha requests activists to end blockade at 8pm in divisional cities outside Dhaka
Earlier in the day, Inqilab Mancha had called for an “all-out blockade” in all divisional cities across Bangladesh from 2pm
Inqilab Mancha has requested activists that the ongoing blockade programme, demanding justice for the killing of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, in all divisional cities outside Dhaka be concluded by 8pm today (28 December).
The platform made the announcement through a post on its official Facebook page this evening, stating that further programmes would be announced later.
Earlier in the day, Inqilab Mancha had called for an "all-out blockade" in all divisional cities across Bangladesh from 2pm, demanding the immediate arrest and trial of those involved in the killing of Hadi.
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In Dhaka, activists of the platform returned to the Shahbagh intersection this morning, resuming their blockade. Although the blockade was officially scheduled to begin at 2pm, protesters started gathering from around 11am.
Outside the capital, protests disrupted traffic in several key areas. In Chattogram, leaders and activists of Inqilab Mancha blocked the entry point of the Shah Amanat Bridge, causing severe traffic congestion on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway. Buses, trucks and other vehicles remained stranded on the bridge, with long tailbacks reported.
Mohammad Solaiman, officer-in-charge of Bakalia Police Station, said protesters initially blocked both lanes of the bridge.
"After discussions, we managed to clear one side and restore limited traffic towards Cox's Bazar. Efforts are ongoing to remove the protesters from the other side," he told The Business Standard.
In Narayanganj, students and local residents blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at the Signboard area from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, leading to heavy congestion on both lanes. Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Mehdi said traffic movement returned to normal after protesters were persuaded to clear the road.
Meanwhile, traffic movement in Gazipur remained suspended for nearly three hours as activists blocked roads at Gazipur Chourasta and Tongi College Gate areas.
"Due to the protests, traffic congestion spread across a large stretch from Uttara to Gazipur's Board Bazar," said Amrita Sutradhar, additional deputy commissioner (traffic) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police.
Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure of the July Uprising and an aspiring independent candidate for the upcoming elections, was shot in the head in the capital's Paltan area on 12 December.
After receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Evercare Hospital, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he died on 18 December.
