Jhalokathi, Dec 13 (V7N) – Activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement blocked a major highway in Jhalokathi on Friday, protesting the shooting of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka. The demonstrators accused unidentified assailants of carrying out a premeditated attack and demanded their immediate arrest.

The blockade began around 4 p.m. at the College Mor area on the Jhalokathi–Barishal regional highway, where protesters set fire to tires and formed a human chain across the road. Traffic on the busy route came to a complete halt within minutes. Long-distance buses bound for Barishal and Khulna, along with more than a hundred other vehicles, were stranded for nearly an hour, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and passengers.

Protesters said they would announce tougher nationwide programs if the attackers were not detained within the next 24 hours. They urged authorities to identify those responsible and ensure legal action without delay, saying the attack was an assault on democratic activism.

Police arrived at the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. and held discussions with the demonstrators. Following assurances of swift action, the protesters lifted the blockade. Traffic movement gradually returned to normal shortly afterward.

Officials said an investigation into the attack on Hadi is underway, and additional security measures have been placed in several districts to prevent further unrest.

END/AIJ/SMA/