Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Junaid Babunagari has demanded exemplary punishment for the OC of Hathazari Police Station for shooting dead madrasa students on March 26. Hefazat-e-Islam's Amir made the demand at a protest rally at Hathazari's Zilla Parishad Market premises after Friday prayers. The protest rally was called as part of Hefazat's central program. Junaid Babungari addressed the rally as the chief guest. He said, "We want exemplary punishment for Hathazari Police Station OC Rafiqul Islam. He cannot stay as OC." "We pray for Bangabandhu and Bangladesh. We are not against the government. Our main enemies are atheists," he added. Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases Police closed the Hathazari-Khagrachhari road from 1pm today during the protest rally by Hefazat. The law enforcers took up position with barbed wire barricade in front of Hathazari Kachari Road. Vehicles were stuck on both sides of the road. Many were seen walking to reach their destinations. After the rally ended at around 3.15 pm, the traffic became normal. Meanwhile, as part of the central program, the leaders and activists of Mahanagar Hefazat staged a protest at the Andarkillah Shahi Jame Mosque premises in the city after the Friday prayers. Huge number of police were also deployed in the area during this time. Also read: An uneasy calm at Hathazari after Friday’s mayhem Earlier, last Friday, four people were killed and atleast 15 others were injuref in clashes between Hefazot activists and police at Hathazari in Chattogram district. Hefazot activists attacked the Hathazari thana compound and land office, forcing the law enforcers to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets in self defence.

Seven separate cases were filed on Tuesday night over the clash between Hefazat-e-Islam activists and police at Hathazari in Chattogram. Five days after the incident, Hathazari police filed four cases, Patia police filed one and Hathazari land office filed two. The cases accused 2,500 people, none of them named, for attack on police station, vandalism of land office, arson, obstruction of police work and assaulting on-duty policemen. Also read: Four killed in clashes with cops in Chattogram Hathazari circle ASP Mosiudoula Reza said they would identify the suspects through investigation. Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruhul Amin said, “Students of the madrasa have caused irreparable damage to the people of Hathazari by setting fire to the land office.” Hefazat activists protested against the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on March 26. They also attacked Hathazari Police Station and vandalised it. Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes Five people, including several Hefazat activists, were killed when police opened fire. Later, the protesters set fire to the Hathazari Upazila Land Office and two cars.

Twenty people were injured in a turf war between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on the campus early Thursday.