Tarikat supporters' blockade ongoing in Chattogram, clash with police

Supporters of the Sunni Sufi groups, including Islami Chhatra Sena and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, have been protesting for several days demanding justice for the killing of Maulana Muhammad Rais Uddin.

They blocked major roads in Chattogram city and nearby upazilas, causing severe traffic jams on Monday (May 5). Train routes were also blocked, creating serious disruption for the public.

At around 11:00am in the Muradpur area, police asked protesters to clear the roads. In response, the protesters threw bricks and stones at the police. The police then used sound grenades and tear gas to disperse them. Parts of the crowd fled towards Bibirhat and Mirzapul. Police detained several people during the clash. Some of the arrested individuals are reportedly linked to political groups like Jubo League and the banned Chhatra League.

Earlier, around 9:30am, the protest began at Muradpur intersection. The protestors were demanding justice for Rais Uddin, a former leader of Islami Chhatra Sena in Dhaka. By 10:40am, police had started using tear gas and sound grenades to break up the blockade. Later, army personnel also arrived at the scene to help restore order.

Maulana Rais Uddin, an imam in Gazipur’s Hyderabad area, was beaten and tied to a tree by a group of people who accused him of child abuse on April 27. He was handed over to police at 10:00am, and died in jail early the next morning. His death has sparked widespread outrage among his followers, leading to ongoing demonstrations across the country.