Highway blocked for 4 hours in Barisal

Abdus Salehin, officer in charge (OC) of Babuganj Police Station arrested the imam, a union parishad member and three women as suspected Islamist fundamentalist.

Finding the imam absent before the Asr prayer, the musullis (people coming for prayer) became agitated, organised a procession and blocked the Barisal-Dhaka highway at about 5pm.

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They demanded immediate release of arrestees as there was no specific case or allegation against them.

Local leaders and activists of different political parties including the BNP and Awami League joined the agitated mob.

As police led by OC Abdus Salehin tried to remove the road blockade, clashes erupted in which eight people including three police personnel received minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Mizanur Rahman, Assistant superintendent of police of Barisal went to the spot with a large contingent of police.

The demonstrators removed the roadblocks at about 9am after the arrestees were unconditionally released.