Widespread protests broke out across Chattogram on Monday as supporters of Bangladesh Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena blocked roads demanding justice for the death of Maulana Muhammad Rais Uddin, a former president of Islami Chhatra Sena’s Dhaka City unit.
The protests, which began in the morning, led to severe traffic disruptions in multiple parts of the city, including Muradpur, GEC Circle, Saltgola Crossing, Oxygen Intersection, WASA Mor, and the gate area of Chattogram University.
Tensions escalated around 9:45 am at Muradpur when protesters began gathering and attempted to block the road. Police responded by firing tear gas and using batons to disperse the crowd. The clash intensified as both sides reportedly hurled stones at each other. Following this, the demonstrators regrouped and blocked the road at the GEC intersection, bringing traffic to a complete halt.
Similar blockades were reported at other key city locations including Oxygen Mor and Saltgola Crossing. The protestors lifted the roadblocks later in the day after receiving assurances from law enforcement agencies.
According to the protesters, the agitation was part of a planned three-hour demonstration in response to the death of Maulana Rais Uddin. He was reportedly beaten after being tied to a tree near a mosque in Gazipur’s Haidarabad area on April 27 and handed over to police. He died the next morning in custody.
The roadblocks caused significant disruption to commuters, including office workers and school children. Many were seen walking long distances to reach their destinations. Niaz Morshed, an office-goer stuck in traffic, said, “I couldn’t reach my destination on time due to the blockade. In this scorching heat, we the ordinary citizens are made to suffer. We want relief from such disruptions.”
Faridul Islam, head of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s media cell, alleged, “The police and their loyalists attacked us with excessive force.”
Outside the city, similar demonstrations took place in various upazilas including Banshkhali, Patiya, Sitakunda, and others. In Banshkhali’s Gunagari Choumuhani area, police clashed with protesters attempting to block roads. Protesters also set tires on fire in Patiya’s Kagojipara and Shantir Hat areas, disrupting traffic on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway.
In Sitakunda, demonstrations were held from 10:00 am under the banner of “Sarbostorer Sunni Jonota” at locations including Bugula Bazar, Kadamrasul, and Bhatiari along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. Protest marches and roadblocks were also reported in Hathazari, Rangunia, Raozan, Fatikchhari, Anwara, Boalkhali, Chandanaish, Satkania, and Lohagara upazilas.
Police officials said they are working to restore order and called for calm while investigations into Rais Uddin’s death continue.
