Police on Thursday dispersed activists of several left-leaning political parties as they attempted to proceed toward the Chief Adviser’s Jamuna residence demanding cancellation of lease agreements for Laldia and Pangaon terminals and lease process of profitable port facilities including New Mooring and Patenga terminals.

The protest was jointly organised by the Left Democratic Alliance, Anti-Fascist Left Front, Bangladesh JASAD and the National Ganafront.

The left-leaning political parties gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30am and began marching towards Kakrail via Paltan, Bijoynagar, and Nightingale intersection.

Around 12:30pm, police blocked the road with barricades at Kakrail.

When protesters tried to move towards CA’s residence police obstructed them, triggering a scuffle, leaving 15-20 participants injured.

The protesters later held a brief rally at Kakrail intersection.

They also demanded disclosure and cancellation of all ‘secret and unequal agreements’ signed with the United States and India.

Leftist student fronts accused of instigating protest after DU eviction drives

Bazlur Rashid Firoz, coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance and general secretary of BSD, announced a protest rally at 4 pm on Saturday in front of the Jatiya Press Club, describing Thursday’s incident as an ‘unprovoked police attack’ on their peaceful march.

Among others, CPB general secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan; JASAD (Ambia) president Sharif Nurul Ambia; Samajtantrik Sramik Front president Rajebuzzaman Ratan and Ganotantrik Biplobi Party general secretary Mosharrafa Mishu spoke.