Inqilab Moncho blocks Shahbagh after police attacks

Several hundred leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital on Friday evening following a clash with police, protesting an alleged police attack and demanding justice for the murder of the platform’s former spokesperson Osman Hadi.

The blockade began around 5:30pm on Friday, shortly after activists marched from the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus and took position at Shahbagh at about 5:15pm.

DUCSU Social Services Secretary AB Zubair, along with leaders and activists from different levels of Inqilab Moncho joined the programme.

Earlier in the afternoon, at around 4:00pm, a procession set out towards Jamuna, demanding justice for Hadi’s murder.

The procession, however, clashed with police.

The organisation alleged that police used tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons to disperse the protesters.

Several leaders and activists, including Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, sustained injuries during the clash and were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

DUCSU leader Fatima Tasnim Juma, RUCSU leader Salauddin Ammar, JUCSU leader Shanta Akhtar and a number of activists were injured.

Speaking from the Shahbagh intersection, DUCSU Social Services Secretary AB Zubair criticised the government, saying, “The police attack on the brothers and sisters of Inqilab Moncho is a shameful and disgraceful act of the interim government, instead of solving the problem that could have been resolved through a two- or three-hour discussion at the table.”

Inqilab Moncho leaders alleged that police attacked their peaceful sit-in programme in front of the InterContinental Hotel, where they had been demanding justice for Hadi’s murder under United Nations supervision, without any provocation.

The protesters announced that they would continue the Shahbagh blockade until justice for Hadi’s murder is ensured.