Police on Friday, February 6, used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters as leaders and activists of Inqilab Mancha attempted to march toward Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Adviser, demanding a United Nations–led investigation into the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi.
The protesters gathered at the InterContinental intersection and announced a march toward Jamuna. They moved forward but were stopped by police after attempting to break through barricades around 3:50 pm.
Law enforcement deployed water cannons and tear gas to prevent the march from proceeding.
Earlier in the day, government employees held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar, pressing for the publication and implementation of the 9th pay-scale gazette. They later began marching toward Jamuna but were initially blocked by police barricades in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh. The protesters later broke through the barricades and continued their march.
Despite police resistance, the demonstrators advanced toward Hotel InterContinental and later occupied the road in front of Jamuna. Around 11:45 am, police again used water cannons and sound grenades, along with baton charges, to disperse the crowd.
Following the police action, one group of protesters retreated to the InterContinental intersection, while another group continued demonstrations at the Kakrail intersection.
Meanwhile, Inqilab Mancha activists had staged a sit-in at the Jamuna entrance on Thursday night, February 5, after issuing several ultimatums reiterating their demand for a UN-led investigation.
As of Friday afternoon, the protest remained ongoing.
KR/MHK