Panchagarh roads in turmoil over Hadi murder: 23 injured in clash with army

A protest and road blockade was organized by pro-Bangladesh students in Panchagarh demanding the arrest and trial of the killers of martyr Osman Hadi. The program, which lasted from noon to afternoon on Sunday (January 11), caused severe traffic congestion on important roads in the city. There were allegations of scuffles and lathi-charge between the protesters and the army while trying to control the situation and maintain normal traffic. At least 23 students were injured in this.

According to district representative Khademul Islam, the students took out a protest procession from the premises of Maqbular Rahman Government College in Panchagarh at around 2 pm. The procession circled the main road of the city and went to the Chowringhee intersection and blocked the highway. At this time, hundreds of vehicles were stuck on both sides, causing extreme suffering to ordinary passengers. The students raised four-point demands, including the speedy arrest and trial of Osman Hadi's killers.

Around 4 pm, during the closing speech of the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, Fazle Rabbi, the army members requested the protesters to move away from the highway. At that time, a scuffle broke out between both sides. The protesters alleged that the army members lathi-charged during the speech, as a result of which several students were injured.

Among the injured are at least 23 people, including the Panchagarh leader of the anti-discrimination student movement, Fazle Rabbi, Mokaddesur Rahman San, Atiqur Rahman, Mazharul Islam Selim, Khorshed Mahmud and Mahfuzur Rahman. They have been admitted to the Panchagarh Adhikari Sadar Hospital.

Amidst the heated situation, Panchagarh Army Camp Commander Major Adnan Morshed Al Haque reached the spot and took the initiative to calm the situation. He expressed regret for the tension created and the situation was quickly brought under control. Later, traffic on the highway returned to normal.

In this regard, Major Adnan Morshed Al Haq said, "Since the highway was blocked for a long time, the army members asked the protesters to move away. At that time, when the protesters became agitated, such a situation was created. He claimed that there was no lathicharge; however, some people may have been hit with lathi during the removal. He also said that the situation is currently calm."