Protesters clear Shahbagh following rally demanding justice for Hadi; traffic resumes after 3hrs
Demonstrators began leaving the road around 5:15pm, after which vehicular movement gradually returned to normal on the Shahbagh–Matsya Bhaban, Shahbagh–Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh–Science Lab routes, which had remained closed during the protest.
Protesters demanding justice for Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi left the Shahbagh intersection in the capital this afternoon (20 December), allowing traffic to resume after nearly three hours of disruption.
Demonstrators began leaving the road around 5:15pm, after which vehicular movement gradually returned to normal on the Shahbagh–Matsya Bhaban, Shahbagh–Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh–Science Lab routes, which had remained closed during the protest.
Earlier in the afternoon, thousands of people gathered at Shahbagh following Hadi's burial on the Dhaka University campus. Processions from different parts of the city arrived one after another, eventually converging at the busy intersection to press for justice over his killing.
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During the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans such as "Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka," "Modi or Hadi? Hadi, Hadi," "We want justice," and "Catch Awami League, throw them in jail."
Some protesters were also seen throwing shoes at an effigy bearing the photograph of Law Adviser Asif Nazrul.
Fatima Tasnim Juma, member secretary of the Dhaka University unit of Inqilab Mancha and Liberation War and Democratic Movement secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union, called on people to join the gathering.
"Everyone come to Shahbag," she wrote in a Facebook post after Hadi's funeral.
Law enforcement agencies barricaded the road from Hotel InterContinental Dhaka towards Minto Road for security reasons, deploying a large number of police, APBn and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel in the area. Water cannons and armoured personnel carriers were also seen at the site.
Earlier in the day, Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University campus, following his namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad amid tight security.
From morning, people had arrived at Manik Mia Avenue in small processions to attend the funeral prayer, which was joined by a large number of mourners.
Hadi's death has triggered protests in Dhaka and several other districts since Thursday night, with demonstrators demanding justice for him.
