Islami Andolon takes out procession protesting Bhola incident

Islami Andolon, a minor Islamist political party, took out a procession in Dhaka city in protest against a Facebook post with 'blasphemous' content and subsequent deaths recently during a rally protesting this in Bhola district. 

Starting from the premises of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram, it went around the Purana Paltan crossing around 2:30am.

Hundreds of people, believed to be supporters, members or leaders of the Islamist party, were part of the procession.

They were also heard chanting slogans against recent government deals with India.

During the procession, huge police were seen deployed at the Purana Paltan crossing to avoid an untoward incident.

At least four people were killed and scores injured as police retaliated to attacks by people who gathered in Bhola's Borhanuddin upazila in protest against a 'blasphemous' post from a Hindu youth's Facebook account on Sunday last.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Juma prayers, security was also heightened in Bhola district town and Borhanuddin upazila since the morning in the day.

The administration suspended road communication and launch service on internal routes in the district, according to local media reports.

The communications would be resumed later in the day, said sources in the district administration.

Additional policemen were also deployed at the crucial points in the district.

Alongside them, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh, police and Rapid Action Battalion were also patrolling in the district town.

Tensions have run deeper in the district town as a 72-hour ultimatum by a religious platform to meet their six-point demand ended yesterday noon (Thursday).