'Withdraw cases filed against Islamic preachers, Hefazat men': Protesters block highway in Brahmanbaria for 3hrs

A group of protesters blocked the Cumilla-Sylhet highway in Brahmanbaria for nearly three hours today (26 February), demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against Alem-Ulama (Islamic scholars) and members of Hefazat-e-Islam.

The blockade began around 10:30am in the Kautli area of the district town, bringing traffic to a standstill and causing long tailbacks on both sides of the highway. Commuters faced severe disruptions as a result.

The blockade was lifted around 1:15pm, after assurances from the administration, allowing traffic to return to normal.

Brahmanbaria Sadar Model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mozaffar Hossain confirmed the development.

"Traffic has returned to normal after the protesters left the highway with the intervention of the administration. The matter will be resolved through discussions with the protesters by senior officials of the district administration and police administration on Sunday," he said.

According to sources, 75 cases were filed in various police stations across the district in connection with incidents of violence in 2016 and 2021.

More than 3,000 leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam, including several Alem-Ulama, have been named in these cases.

The protesters staged a sit-in on the highway, insisting that the cases be withdrawn.

"Many false cases have been withdrawn after 5 August, but the cases against Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and Alem-Ulama, filed out of political vengeance, remain," said Mufti Zakaria, co-organisational secretary of the district Hefazat-e-Islam.

"If there is no announcement regarding their withdrawal by today, we will escalate our movement with stricter programmes, such as cordoning off the offices of the district administrator and police superintendent from tomorrow."

The Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), Mozaffar Hossain, said authorities have requested the protesters to lift the blockade.

"Their demands will be addressed through discussions with higher authorities," he stated.

As of now, the blockade remains in place, with protesters waiting for a response from the government.