Mitford Hospital killing of trader Sohag unleashes waves of demonstrations nationwide

The gruesome killing of scrap and old wire trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, in broad daylight outside Mitford Hospital in Dhaka has galvanised thousands across the country, amid growing anger at lawlessness.

The brutal nature of the killing has sent shockwaves across the nation and triggered widespread condemnation.

Students, politicians, social activists, and ordinary citizens poured into the streets in cities and towns to express anger over the killing, demanding immediate arrests and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

“This barbarity must end now. If these incidents continue, the country will plunge into chaos,” protestors warned in multiple rallies held across the country.

Sohag was killed on Wednesday afternoon in front of Mitford Hospital’s Gate No. 3. A viral video showed him being bludgeoned with a concrete block, causing public outrage. Since then, police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested five people, with two placed on remand for interrogation.

The BNP has announced the expulsion of five of its members from the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal for their alleged involvement in the killing.

The following are reports from correspondents across the country:

BRAHMANBARIA

In Brahmanbaria, a protest march began at 11am from the Government College under the banner of Brahmanbaria Chhatra-Janata, or Brahmanbaria Students and Public.

Students from different institutions and representatives of youth groups participated in the rally, which concluded outside the local press club with a demonstration.

The protesters joined their voice in saying: “This is not about politics. The public, as ordinary citizens, are being forced onto the streets due to the system’s failure.”

RANGPUR

In Rangpur, protestors gathered for a rally starting at the Zilla School intersection. The march proceeded along the city’s main thoroughfare, ending at Shaheed Abu Sayed Square near Begum Rokeya University, where a brief assembly was held.

Participants included members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and general students.

Ashfaq Ahmed Jamil, member-secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Rangpur unit, and NCP Coordinator Alomgir Kabir addressed the crowd, demanding immediate justice.

RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY

At Rajshahi University, the Students and Education Rights Movement organised a human chain in the afternoon at Paris Road.

Separately, Rajshahi University’s Chhatra Dal unit also held a protest at the campus’s Buddhijibi Chattar, while also leading a march through various campus roads, calling for swift justice.

GOPALGANJ AND JAMALPUR

Students at Gopalganj Medical College held a march and rally in the morning to protest ongoing extortion, sexual assaults and murders. The procession began at the academic building and paraded key roads of the campus before returning to where they started.

Students shouted slogans, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Sohag’s killers.

NAOGAON

In Naogaon, the Sangrami Chhatra-Janata held a midday rally at the city’s Muktir Mor.

The protestors demanded the arrest and punishment of Sohag’s killers and announced plans to drive out extortionists from offices, intersections, bus stands, and auto-rickshaw hubs.

Naogaon Medical College students also joined the protests. After the rally, a procession moved through the city’s main roads.

NARAYANGANJ AND NATORE

In Narayanganj, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organised a rally at the city’s central Shaheed Minar in Chashara. District and metropolitan leaders of the organisation joined later marched through city streets.

Protesters accused the BNP and its affiliates of involvement in criminal activities and issued a stern warning.

A protest organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement took place at the old bus stand area in Natore town. Protesters condemned the murder and called for systemic reform.

PANCHAGARH AND PIROJPUR

In Panchagarh, students and the platform Amra Panchagarhbasi held a march that started from the town’s Shaheed Minar and ended at Sher-e-Bangla Park after parading the town.

A protest march demanding improvements in law and order was held in Pirojpur. Starting from Shaheed Minar in the afternoon, demonstrators marched through the city before ending the programme in front of the Town Club.

As outrage over the Mitford killing continues to grow, the spotlight remains on law enforcement and political actors amid calls for accountability.