Hefazat activists block highways in Ctg after leader’s death in road crash

Leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh blocked Chattogram–Khagrachhari and Chattogram–Rangamati highways on Wednesday demanding justice over the death of a leader in a road accident, halting traffic on the two highways.

Police said executive committee member of the party Maulana Sohel Chowdhury sustained serious injuries when a bus but hit his motorbike near Nabin Sen Government Primary School in Raozan Upazila on Tuesday.

He was rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead around 9 pm.

Hefazat activists alleged that the incident was a premeditated killing and began blocking the two highways from Wednesday morning.

The roadblocks have caused severe traffic disruptions, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, said locals.

Although Sohel Chowdhury was originally from Sandwip Upazila he had been residing with his family in the Medical Gate area of Raozan for several years.

He had also served as the principal of Kochukhain Ahmadiya Al-Islamia Al-Hikma Madrasha.

A media release from the district police said traffic on the Hatjazari, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Manikchhari, and Ramgarh highways has been suspended due to the protests.

Chattogram Additional Police Superintendent (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Md. Tareq Aziz said they are in talks with them to resolve the situation.

Police teams are present on-site to maintain law and order and ensure public safety, he added.