Chhatra Sena blocks Dhaka-Chattogram highway, demands justice over Imam Rais Uddin’s death
Roads across Chattogram city and the Dhaka–Chattogram highway remained blocked this morning (5 May) as activists of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena protested the death of Maulana Muhammad Rais Uddin, an Imam and party leader.
The blockades are part of a nationwide call for protests over the death of a Gazipur imam Rais Uddin, who was reportedly tied to a tree and tortured by a group of locals on 27 April before being handed over to the police. He died later that night after being sent to jail through court.
Following his death, Sunni revivalist movement followers, including Bangladesh Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena, the student wing of Bangladeshi Islami Front, have been holding protests demanding justice.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The blockade began at 9am in several areas of the city, including Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Number Two Gate, GEC, New Bridge, Soltgola Crossing, and AK Khan Gate.
Activists blocked traffic at Madam Bibir Hat in Sitakunda on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, causing long tailbacks. The blockade was still in place at the time of writing this report around 11:45am.
Protests also took place in the surrounding upazilas, including Hathazari, Rangunia, Raozan, Fatikchari, Anwara, Boalkhali, Patiya, Banshkhali, Chandanaish, Satkania, and Lohagara.
Demonstrators demanded the arrest and punishment of those responsible for the killing of Rais Uddin, while saying they would not leave the streets till they get justice.
Eyewitnesses said police attempted to stop the protest at Saltgola Crossing, but the movement remained disrupted in the area.
However, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Mahmuda Begum stated, "Traffic is normal and not being obstructed due to the protest."
Rais Uddin, who was the imam and khatib of the Akhladul Jame Mosque in Haidarabad area in Gazipur's Pubail, was accused of sexually violating a male madrasah student and allegedly drugging and sexually abusing other young boys.
He was reportedly tied to a tree and beaten by locals before being handed over to the police on 27 April. He died in the early hours of 28 April after being sent to jail through court.
Chhatra Sena and activists of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have held several programmes in recent days, including protests and human chains in different parts of the country, demanding justice for the death of Imam Rais Uddin. Today's road blockade in Chattogram is part of their continued demand for justice.
