Triple Protest Wave Paralyses Central Dhaka Districts

The heart of the capital was plunged into absolute gridlock yesterday as three simultaneous protest movements converged on key arterial roads, bringing the first working day of the week to a standstill. From the commercial hub of Kawran Bazar to the student districts of Farmgate and the historical intersection of Shahbagh, thousands took to the streets, leading to violent skirmishes with law enforcement and causing immense suffering for commuters.

The Mobile Traders’ Revolt

The most volatile confrontation unfolded in Kawran Bazar, where mobile phone traders, under the banner of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), staged a mass sit-in. The protesters were demonstrating against the newly implemented National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system, which they claim threatens their livelihoods. In a poignant display of desperation, many traders brought their wives and children, occupying the SAARC Fountain intersection from 10:00 am.

By 11:30 am, the situation turned violent as police attempted to clear the road using batons. The traders retaliated with brickbats, prompting security forces to deploy water cannons, riot cars, and sound grenades. The conflict ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon, with traders retreating into shopping malls like Bashundhara City only to reform on the streets minutes later. Traders lamented, “We are being forced into starvation by this NEIR project; we are not terrorists, we are businessmen fighting for our children.”

Justice for Sakibul Hasan Rana

Simultaneously, Farmgate became a fortress of student anger. Classmates of Sakibul Hasan Rana, a brilliant science student from Tejgaon College who succumbed to injuries sustained during a dormitory clash on 6 December, blocked all four sides of the intersection. Chanting “My brother is in the grave, why is the killer free?”, the students demanded the immediate arrest of the prime suspect. Although police confirmed two arrests have been made, the students refused to budge, forcing traffic to a complete halt across North Dhaka.

The ‘March for Justice’ at Shahbagh

Further south, the Inqilab Mancha conducted their “March for Justice” (March for Insaf) at Shahbagh. Protesters demanded accountability for the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, chanting slogans that questioned the interim government’s response to the killing. This demonstration attracted significant public participation, further complicating the city’s traffic management as the crowd vowed to continue their marches today and tomorrow.

Summary of Major Protest Disruptions

Administrative Response

The Deputy Commissioner (Tejgaon Division), Md. Ibne Mizan, stated that the mobile traders’ blockade appeared designed to “pressurise the government by creating public suffering” rather than seeking formal dialogue. Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Jewel Rana assured the students at Farmgate that the police are prioritising the Rana murder case, noting that raids to capture the principal offender are ongoing.