Roads around Shahbag open

Three roads around the Shahbagh intersection have been temporarily unblocked for traffic on Monday.

The decision by the authorities has been prompted by a reduction in the number of demonstrators at the original site of ‘Ganajagaran Mancha’, as the movement demanding capital punishment for war criminals staged a rally at Mirpur’s 10 Circle Point on Monday, the 21st day of the protest in a row. It is the second rally to be staged outside Shahbagh, the first being at Rayerbazar Mass Grave on Saturday.

“After discussions with the protestors, officials managed to open the streets for vehicular traffic from noon on Monday since the crowd here has lessened. But appropriate measures will be taken if the size of the crowd goes up”, SI Moktar Hossain of Shahbagh Police told bdnews24.com.

Vehicles were able to travel from Shahbagh to Matsya Bhaban, Katabon and Hotel Ruposhi Bangla starting from around 2.30pm Monday. Protests are continuing in the streets near TSC.

The Shahbagh intersection remained closed for vehicles ever since sit in protest started demanding capital punishment for war criminals and a ban on the Jmaat-e-Islami. This is the first time after Feb 5 when vehicles will be allowed to ply through three of the four streets .around Shahbag