Hundreds of Noakhali residents living in Dhaka took to the streets on Friday, blocking Shahbagh intersection for nearly two hours to press their demand for Noakhali to be declared a separate administrative division.
The protest procession started from Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka around 3pm and reached Shahbagh at about 3:40pm. Organised by Chawkbazar Staff Samity, the demonstrators took position at the intersection and raised slogans demanding divisional status for Noakhali.
“Only one demand, we want Noakhali Division” was among the slogans chanted by the protesters.
Around 1,000 people joined the programme, according to organisers. The sit-in brought traffic to a standstill at Shahbagh and on nearby roads, causing disruption in the busy area.
At around 4:40pm, Noakhali-6 lawmaker and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Abdul Hannan Masud joined the protesters to express solidarity with their demand.
Taking part in the sit-in, Masud also joined the demonstrators in chanting slogans, including “Only one demand, we want Noakhali Division” and “Take our blood if needed, but give us Noakhali Division.”
The protesters ended their sit-in after nearly two hours and left Shahbagh around 5:30pm, heading towards the National Press Club.
Traffic movement in the area gradually returned to normal after the protesters vacated the intersection.
The demonstrators said they would continue their movement until Noakhali is granted divisional status.
