Supporters blocked buses for three and a half hours after police detained local BNP leader

Normal life in Cumilla was significantly disrupted today as a protest erupted following the detention of a local BNP leader. Rezaul Kaiyum, president of the Cumilla Adarsha Sadar upazila unit BNP, was taken into police custody, prompting his supporters to take to the streets. The immediate response was a blockade of the Shashongacha Bus Terminal, halting bus and three-wheeler services to key destinations including Dhaka and Sylhet, as well as several upazila headquarters.

Eyewitnesses reported that the supporters of Kaiyum positioned themselves at the bus terminal and in front of the police station, demanding his immediate release. Police stated Kaiyum was detained for questioning, though the specific reasons remain unclear, with some media outlets citing directives from "higher authorities." This lack of transparency fuels the supporters' anger and highlights a common point of contention in local politics, where detentions can often be perceived as politically motivated.

The disruption caused immense suffering to commuters, many of whom were forced to walk to alternative transport points or seek different modes of travel. The blockade lasted for about three and a half hours, only resuming around 4:00 PM. As of the time of reporting, Kaiyum remained in detention, with no case filed and no official arrest recorded, further deepening the uncertainty and frustration surrounding the incident. This event underscores the volatile nature of political activism and its direct impact on the daily lives of ordinary citizens in Bangladesh.

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Police detained Rezaul from his house around 12:00pm. He was then taken to the police station for interrogation