Madrasa students block roads in Hathazari
BGB along with RAB and police have been deployed to avoid untoward incidents
The situation in Chattogram's Hathazari Sadar area has remained tense on Saturday as well after four people were killed in clashes between police, Hefazat activists and madrassa students on Friday.
A large number of madrasa students have been blocking the Chattogram-Khagrachhari road since morning. BGB along with RAB and police have been deployed to avoid untoward incidents.
A meeting between the Hefazat leader and senior officials of the police administration was held on Friday night with the mediation of local MP Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, but they could not reach any solution.
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MP Anisul Islam Mahmud, Chattogram Range DIG Anwar Hossain, District Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque and other senior officials have been staying at the Hathazari Police Station since 9 am on Saturday.
Most of the shops in Hathazari Bazar were closed on Saturday around noon. A large number of RAB and police are stationed at the bus stand south of the police station building with barricades on the road. BGB members have taken a position in and around the police station.
Madrasa students have stationed themselves with bamboo and tin barricades on the Chattogram-Nazirhat road, south of Hathazari Madrasa.
MP Anisul Islam said, "The two sides had a discussion last night. They have made five demands- the autopsy of the four killed must be done properly, there should not be any hassles with burying the dead, proper treatment of the injured, judicial investigation into the incident and taking appropriate action against the policemen responsible for the shooting."
"We have accepted their demands. But the students are not lifting the blockade," he added.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mominur Rahman said, "Thousands of passengers from North Chattogram and Khagrachhari are suffering due to road blockade. If the word does not work, the administration will take action."
At least four people were killed, and dozens injured, when several hundred Hefazat-e-Islam activists clashed with cops in Chattogram's Hathazari yesterday afternoon over a demonstration against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh.
Of the deceased, three – Shirajul Islam, Robiul Hasan and Jamil Hasan – were students of Hathazari madrasa while the remaining person was a pedestrian.
