Thousands in Dhaka protest Delhi violence

In a protest under the banner of 'Like-minded Islamic Parties' against the violence in the Indian capital of New Delhi that so far left more than 50 people dead, thousands of people took to the streets in Dhaka city on Friday.

Starting from the premises of the national mosque of Baitul Mukarram after the Juma prayers around 2:00pm, they paraded the thoroughfares nearby via Purana Paltan intersection carrying placards saying 'Stop Killing Muslims' and 'Modi is a terrorist'.

Traffic movement on the streets came to a halt during the procession that was going on until filing of this report around 3:00pm.

Police in armed gears guarded the procession in efforts to prevent any act of violence emanating from it.

In the backdrop of Delhi violence, the Islamic parties under the same banner voiced their protest after the Juma prayers on the same day last week.

They also strongly opposed the visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi , whom they blame for the Delhi violence, to Bangladesh on March 17, when he is expected to visit Dhaka to attend a ceremony marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

However, senior ministers and leaders of the ruling Awami League have made it clear that they will go all out for Modi to attend the programme without any hindrance.