Protesters block Shahbagh demanding retrial, justice for BDR massacre

Dismissed former BDR members and families of those affected have blocked Shahbagh, demanding a retrial of the 2009 BDR massacre, the release of imprisoned individuals, and justice.

The protest, titled “Shahbagh Blockade,” began at 1:15pm on Thursday, with many protesters sitting or lying on the streets, disrupting traffic in the area.

Their demands include the release of all imprisoned BDR members convicted in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, reinstatement and rehabilitation of dismissed BDR personnel and the repeal of one of the section of a related government order.

Earlier in the day, the protesters held a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar, stating it as their primary protest site.

They planned to return to Shaheed Minar after a one-hour blockade at Shahbagh.

As the protesters marched toward Shahbagh intersection, police attempted to block them with barricades near Shahbagh Police Station.

However, the protesters broke through and continued their demonstration.

Mahin Sarkar, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed solidarity with the protesters, accusing delays in the judicial process due to repeated court relocations.

At a press conference at Shaheed Minar, the families described the BDR massacre as “staged” and called it a conspiracy against BDR members.

They urged the ministries of law and home affairs to release imprisoned BDR members, dismiss false charges and reinstate dismissed personnel.

Source: UNB