Protest Against Youth Leader’s Abduction Sparks Highway Blockade in Munshiganj
In Munshiganj’s Srinagar, anti-discrimination student activists staged a protest by blocking the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway. The demonstration erupted following the forceful abduction of a detained youth leader, Tariqul Islam, from Srinagar Police Station. The protest took place around noon near the Dhaleshwari Toll Plaza in South Keraniganj, where participants chanted slogans demanding swift justice against the culprits.
The Incident and Demands for Justice
Tariqul Islam, a joint convener of the local Jubo Dal unit, was apprehended by police on Friday evening in connection to an assault case filed on November 19. While in custody, BNP and affiliated organizations’ leaders and activists allegedly stormed the police station and forcibly freed him in front of senior officers.
Siam Hawladar, an accounting student at Srinagar Government College, emphasized the necessity of legal equality during the protest:
“Law should be equal for all. The individual who escaped custody must be apprehended, and those responsible for this act should be held accountable, regardless of their political stature.”
The protesters issued an ultimatum, demanding the immediate arrest of the escaped detainee and his accomplices within two hours.
Impact on the Expressway
The highway blockade resulted in an hour-long disruption of vehicular movement. However, emergency services, including ambulances, were allowed to pass. Abdul Qader Jilani, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hasara Highway Police, confirmed that traffic resumed after authorities assured action against the perpetrators.
Legal Actions Taken
Following the incident, police filed a case naming 31 individuals, including key BNP and Jubo Dal leaders, alongside 160-170 unidentified persons. Srinagar OC Kawsar Uddin stated:
“We are conducting operations to apprehend everyone involved in this incident.”
Backdrop of the Incident
The chaos began when local BNP leaders, including the Upazila General Secretary and other high-ranking members, attempted to negotiate Tariqul Islam’s release. Upon police refusal, over 200 activists surrounded the station, engaging in heated exchanges before forcibly taking him away while chanting slogans.
Call for Accountability
Protesters and law enforcement have echoed the need for prompt justice. While police intensify their operations to detain those responsible, the event underscores the need for impartiality and the upholding of law in politically sensitive cases.
