Bangladesh
Shahbag Protest Blockade at Shahbag in protest of communal attacks; 24 hour ultimatum
Dhaka, October 18: The blockaders have set a 24-hour deadline in the capital to protest communal attacks and vandalism and demand justice for those involved. On Monday (October 18) at around 2:00 pm, they tied the ultimatum and announced the suspension of the movement. Earlier, the protesters took position at Shahbagh intersection around 10:30 am.
The blockaders have raised seven points in addition to demanding justice for those involved in the attack. They said that if these seven points are not observed, strict program will be announced.
The demands are: speedy renovation of temples, compensation for looting of houses and businesses, speedy trial of rapes and murders, ensuring maximum punishment for attacks on temples and minorities through legislation in Parliament, formation of minority ministries and commissions, modernization of Hindu religious trusts And allocating 15 percent for minorities in the national budget.
Meanwhile, due to the blockade, the traffic from Shahbagh to Paltan, Sciencelab, Bangla Motor and TSC was stopped. This caused severe traffic jam in the area.
Temples and mandapas were vandalized in different parts of the country on October 13 after a report of insulting the Qur'an was spread in Comilla. On Sunday (October 17) night, some houses in Rangpur were attacked and set on fire.
