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Leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh blocked the Chattogram–Khagrachhari and Chattogram–Rangamati highways on Wednesday, demanding justice over the death of one of their leaders in a road accident, halting traffic on both routes.
Police said Maulana Sohel Chowdhury, an executive committee member of the organisation, sustained serious injuries when a bus hit his motorbike near Nabin Sen Government Primary School in Raozan upazila on Tuesday.
He was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around 9:00 pm.
Hefazat activists alleged that the incident was a premeditated killing and began blocking the two highways on Wednesday morning.
The roadblocks caused severe traffic disruptions, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, UNB reported citing 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 Madrasa.
A media release from the district police said traffic on the Hathazari, 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 were in talks with the protesters to resolve the situation.
Police teams were deployed on-site to maintain law and order and ensure public safety, he added.