Police foiled a black flag procession organized by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Barisal to commemorate the students and people killed during the quota reform movement on Friday afternoon.
The LDF activists, carrying black flags, demanded the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government for the killing of the students. They also called for a political solution to the crisis.
The Left Democratic Front tried to start the mourning black flag procession from the Barisal BSD office on Fakir Bari Road in the city at 11:30am on Friday.
Dr Manisha Chakraborty, member secretary of LDF Barisal, said they tried to take out a peaceful mourning procession for the dead students but could not proceed due to police obstruction.
"When we wanted to go to the main road with the mourning rally, the police forced us to go back. They told us to return without holding the mourning rally. Later, we held a short meeting at the Barishal BSD office condemning the role of the police," Dr Manisha said.
"It was our democratic right to mourn in memory of the students and people killed by the forces of the dictatorial Hasina government. But whether today or later, our protest program will continue. We will carry out our protest with more energy," she added.
Meanwhile, a large number of police, RAB, and army teams were stationed at Sadar Road from 11 o'clock to prevent the LDF's mourning rally, causing panic to spread across the city.
Arichul Haque, OC of Barisal Kotwali police station, said that there was no opportunity to hold mass gatherings and processions during the relaxation of the curfew period until 9pm on Friday.
"The organizers cancelled the program of the procession and rally on the road and held a meeting inside their office when we explained this to them," said the police official.
