Supporters of BNP leader Md. Zakir Hossain Farazi blocked the Bhola-Char Fashion regional highway on Wednesday, demanding his unconditional release following his arrest by the Coast Guard.
Protesters gathered at Bangla Bazar square around 10:30 AM, forming a human chain and burning tires on the road. The blockade halted traffic for nearly two hours, causing significant distress to long-distance commuters and students heading to examinations.
Zakir Hossain, the central joint convener of the National Freedom Fighters' Generation Party and former president of South Dighaldi Union Chhatra Dal, was arrested on Monday night. Coast Guard members raided the Bhola-bound Karnaphuli-13 launch at Ilisha terminal and reportedly recovered domestic firearms, ammunition, and marijuana from his possession.
The Coast Guard stated that Zakir is a known accused in multiple criminal cases and was apprehended based on secret information regarding terrorist activities. He was subsequently handed over to Bhola Sadar Model Police Station.
However, Zakir’s followers claimed the leader was "framed in a planned manner" and insisted on his innocence during Wednesday’s protest.
Police teams from Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan stations arrived at the scene to disperse the protesters. Traffic returned to normal around noon, though local tension remains high.
"Upon receiving news of the blockade, our teams moved in to control the situation and cleared the highway for vehicles," said Md. Ziauddin, Inspector (Investigation) of Bhola Sadar Police Station.
