Protesters block Shahbagh intersection, traffic halted

Protesters have blocked Shahbagh intersection in the capital demanding a trial and a UN-led investigation into the murder of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi, halting traffic in Shahbagh and surrounding areas.

On Friday (February 6), clashes began between police and protesters at the Intercontinental intersection in the capital at 3:30 pm.

The chase and counter-chase continued intermittently until 5:30 pm. During the clash, police used lathicharge, water cannon, sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Traffic on the Shahbagh-Bangla Motor Road was completely blocked for about two hours in the incident. The protesters have blocked Shahbagh intersection until last news was received.

Around 6 pm, it was seen on the ground that brick fragments were scattered at different places on the road from Intercontinental intersection to Bangla Motor. Police and BGB members are on alert. Crowds of eager people were seen on the Bangla Motor footover bridge and the roofs of nearby buildings.

When the situation normalized somewhat, the police removed the barricades and traffic started moving for a short time. However, as the Shahbag blockade continued, traffic stopped again within a short time.

Earlier, since Thursday afternoon, the leaders and activists of the Inqilab Mancha had been holding a sit-in programme towards the Jamuna, the residence of the chief adviser, demanding justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi.

After Friday afternoon, the gathering of protesters increased at the Intercontinental intersection and Bangla Motor area.

To prevent the protesters from entering the VVIP zone on Minto Road, the police blocked the road with barbed wire barricades. Around 3:30 pm, when the protesters tried to break the barricades and move towards the Jamuna, the police took a strict stance and clashes began.

When the police fired water cannons and sound grenades, the protesters also resisted by throwing bricks. At one point, the police lathicharged and moved one section of the protesters towards Shahbagh and the other towards Bangla Motor.