The central hub of Dhaka was transformed into a site of intense political agitation on Sunday as the Inquilab Mancha platform enforced a “total blockade” across all eight divisional cities. Centred at the iconic Shahbagh intersection, the demonstration sought the immediate arrest and summary trial of those responsible for the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi. The protest, which officially commenced shortly after 2:00 pm on 28th December, persisted late into the night, effectively severing key transport arteries and bringing the heart of the capital to a standstill.
Although the formal call for the blockade was issued on Saturday night, activists began congregating at the “July Monument” near Shahbagh as early as 11:00 am. By mid-afternoon, thousands of protesters had seized control of the junction, obstructing routes toward the InterContinental Hotel, Matsya Bhaban, and Elephant Road. The resulting gridlock rippled through the city, with the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police units heavily concentrated around the area to maintain a precarious order.
The atmosphere was marked by rhythmic chanting and nationalist rhetoric. Protesters shouted slogans such as “Justice for Hadi,” “Struggle over Compromise,” and “Dhaka over Delhi,” reflecting the group’s firm stance against perceived foreign interference and internal betrayal. This latest escalation follows a period of heightened tension; just 24 hours prior, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, had personally visited the site to assure activists that the “mystery” of Hadi’s murder would be solved. However, the Mancha resumed their street presence following a review of the police’s subsequent press briefing, which they deemed insufficient.
Snapshot: Nationwide Blockade Impact
| Category | Information |
| Primary Hub | Shahbagh Intersection, Dhaka |
| Key Demand | Arrest and Speedy Trial of Sharif Osman Hadi’s Killers |
| Nationwide Scope | All 8 Divisional Cities (Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, etc.) |
| Traffic Impact | Severe gridlock on InterContinental, Matsya Bhaban, and Gazipur routes |
| Security Presence | Police, BGB, and Armed Police Battalion (APBN) |
| Duration | Commenced 2:00 pm; continued past 9:00 pm |
The disruption extended far beyond the city centre. In Uttara, students from various educational institutions barricaded the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in front of the BNS Centre for five hours. This specific blockade stranded thousands of commuters, including international travellers struggling to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Passengers were forced to abandon their vehicles and walk miles with heavy luggage. One commuter, Abdul Alim, noted that he had to trek towards Gazipur after being stuck for over two hours, while others expressed despair over the total lack of mobility on one of the country’s most vital economic corridors.