Protest over Hadi killing halts traffic on airport–Abdullahpur route

Activists of Inqilab Mancha blocked a major road in Uttara on Monday (December 29) demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, disrupting traffic on the Airport–Abdullahpur route.

The blockade began around 12:10pm in front of the Uttara BNS Centre, bringing vehicle movement from the airport towards Abdullahpur to a halt.

Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Rafiq Ahmed confirmed the development, saying traffic remained suspended on the airport-bound side of the road, while vehicles travelling towards the airport from the opposite lane were moving normally. He added that the group had staged a similar blockade for more than five hours on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Inqilab Mancha continued its sit-in for a fourth consecutive day at Shahbag intersection in the capital, as part of its ongoing protest over Hadi’s killing. As previously announced, activists gathered at Shahbag from 2:00pm on Monday.

Participants from different walks of life joined the demonstration, chanting slogans and demanding a proper investigation, swift arrest of those responsible and exemplary punishment. Protesters vowed to continue the movement until justice is delivered.

On Sunday night, after three straight days of sit-ins, Inqilab Mancha temporarily withdrew its programme and announced a four-point demand, including completing the trial of all those involved in the killing within 24 days, cancelling work permits of Indian nationals in Bangladesh, pursuing legal action against India in international courts if suspects are not handed over, and identifying and prosecuting alleged collaborators of fascist elements within civil and military intelligence.

Earlier, following a review of a press briefing by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, Inqilab Mancha announced blockade programmes in Dhaka and all eight divisions of the country. The group later said divisional city blockades outside Dhaka would continue until 8:00pm.