Leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho staged protests at Shahbagh intersection for a fourth consecutive day on Monday, pressing four point demands, including immediate arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of its spokesperson, Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, bringing traffic at the busy junction to a standstill.

However, authorities arranged diversions on the left side of all approach roads to reduce public inconvenience.

The demonstration began in the afternoon on Monday (29 December), with protesters occupying Shahbagh intersection. As a result, vehicular movement through the area was suspended. Only ambulances and other emergency vehicles were allowed to pass through the intersection.

During a visit to the area at noon, it was seen that vehicles coming from Science Lab were diverted left at Shahbagh, taking a U-turn near the InterContinental intersection before heading towards the Matsya Bhaban area. Similar diversions were in place on the other three connecting roads, with traffic rerouted through U-turns to reach destinations.

Inqilab Moncho took position at Shahbagh from 2:00pm and called on students from universities, Qawmi and Alia madrasas, schools and colleges, as well as conscious citizens from across the country, to join the protest. The gathering continued to grow as the afternoon progressed.

The platform placed four key demands: completion of the trial of the killers, planners, accomplices, escape facilitators and those who provided shelter within the next 24 days; cancellation of work permits of all Indian nationals currently residing in Bangladesh; filing a case against India in an international court if it refuses to extradite the suspects who have taken refuge there; and identification, arrest and prosecution of what the group described as remnants of fascist elements allegedly hiding within civil and military intelligence agencies.