Protesters occupied and blocked the road at Shahbagh in the capital, demanding that Noakhali be declared a separate administrative division. They took up their position at Shahbagh around 3:45 p.m. Friday (Sept. 4), disrupting traffic on the key road and causing severe congestion in the surrounding area.
After Friday prayers, the protesters set out in a procession from Chawk Mosque in Chawkbazar toward Shahbagh around 3 p.m. About 45 minutes later, they reached Shahbagh and blocked the road, taking up their position.
The protesters chanted various slogans demanding that Noakhali be quickly declared a separate division. They said this long-standing demand must be implemented swiftly and Noakhali declared a separate division.
The protesters said that declaring Noakhali a division would make administrative functions more efficient and expand access to civic services for people across the wider area.
Noakhali-6 constituency lawmaker and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Abdul Hannan Masud was seen at the demonstration.
The protesters’ road blockade halted traffic through Shahbagh, with effects spilling over to surrounding roads, creating congestion and inconveniencing ordinary commuters in the area.
Law enforcement officials were occupied with managing the situation and could not be reached for comment.
Police members said they were currently working to bring the situation under control, and that senior officials would speak on the matter later.