Awami League activists and its student wing, Chhatra League, blocked the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway near the Padma Bridge toll plaza in Zajira, Shariatpur, carrying oars and chanting slogans including “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu”.
Several crude bombs exploded and two trucks were vandalised during the blockade, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on and around the bridge for nearly an hour, reports Bangla Tribune.
The incident took place in the Nawdoba area of Zajira Upazila between 1:30am and 2:30am on Tuesday, following a gathering late Monday.
According to local residents and police, around 700-800 people assembled in the area and later took positions on the expressway in front of the toll plaza. Police said several explosions occurred and two parked trucks were vandalised.
The blockade halted traffic between Dhaka and the southwestern region in both directions, causing long tailbacks on the bridge and nearby roads.
Members of Padma Bridge South Police Station, Shibchar Highway Police and district police later reached the scene and dispersed the protesters. Traffic subsequently returned to normal. No one was arrested, police said.
Shibchar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Enamul Hasan said additional police personnel, along with members of the highway police and Padma Bridge South Police Station, conducted a joint operation to clear the road.
The protest came ahead of a nationwide blockade announced by the Chhatra League on Facebook for Tuesday. Reports of activists gathering in different parts of Shariatpur had circulated a day earlier.
On Monday evening, police conducted a drive in Nawdoba and seized 500 packets of khichuri from a business establishment. The Shariatpur district unit of Jubo Dal later held a protest procession in the area.
Mahsin Madbar, convener of the Shariatpur district Chhatra League, was seen addressing the overnight gathering. A video of his speech circulating on Facebook shows him saying they would resist any attempt to obstruct BNP programmes.
The incident caused panic among passengers, as the blockade and explosions occurred near the Padma Bridge South Police Station, a cantonment, the bridge service area and the toll plaza.
