A wave of protests, road blockades, and violent clashes erupted across Dinajpur following the arrest of prominent transport workers’ leader Sheikh Badshah.
Agitated workers surrounded Kotwali Police Station and set fire to two buses and a motorcycle parked on the road outside.
At least 10 to 12 people were injured in clashes between rival groups of transport workers, leading to massive traffic congestion and widespread public disruption.
Sheikh Badshah was arrested by the District Detective Branch (DB) police on Wednesday at approximately 9pm in connection with three old cases.
Following the news of his arrest, transport workers suspended all long-distance bus services and other vehicular operations starting Wednesday night.
By Thursday morning, the workers had erected barricades using buses and trucks at several key entry points of the town, including Government College intersection, Phulbari bus stand, and Baluadanga Tempo stand.
The blockades led to severe traffic gridlock, causing immense suffering to general citizens, students, and patients. The situation escalated at around 11am on Thursday during the siege of Kotwali Police Station, when clashes and chases broke out between two factions of workers.
Amidst the rising tension, protesters set fire to two buses and a motorcycle on the road in front of the police station. Out of the 10 to 12 workers injured in the violence, several have been admitted to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital and General Hospital.
Following the incident, additional police forces were deployed in the area, and they eventually brought the situation under control by moving the protesting workers outside the police station compound.
Protesting workers and supporters of the arrested leader – including Abdus Salam Jamshed, Abdul Khalek, Shahidul Islam, and Md Jahangir – argued that Sheikh Badshah has always supported transport workers and actively resolved their issues.
They alleged that his arrest was a conspiracy, timed to coincide with the day nomination papers were being collected for Dinajpur District Motor Transport Workers’ Union election.
They further accused a group of outsiders led by Plabon and Hiru of attacking them and causing injuries. The supporters demanded Sheikh Badshah’s immediate release, declaring that the road blockades would continue until he is set free.
In light of the volatile situation, the sale of nomination papers for the transport workers’ union election has been temporarily suspended, announced Golam Nabi Dulal, Assistant Commissioner of Election Management Committee and General Secretary of Dinajpur Press Club.
Meanwhile, Md Anwar Hossain, the additional superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) in Dinajpur, confirmed that Sheikh Badshah was arrested in connection with three old cases and will be sent to court through the legal process.
He added that the authorities are actively holding discussions to quickly normalise the situation and ease public suffering.
