Dismissed armed forces members' protest causes 3hr traffic disruption

Traffic in Dhaka's Cantonment area came to a standstill for nearly three hours on Sunday as dismissed members of the armed forces staged a protest demanding reinstatement of their jobs.

The protest, organized under the platform "Sohoyoddha," began around 11:15 AM, causing severe traffic congestion in surrounding areas. However, normal traffic flow was restored by 2:00 PM.  

The protesters, dismissed during the Awami League government on charges of "engaging in actions against discipline," started their sit-in demonstration early in the morning near Jahangir Gate. They later moved to block the road, intensifying their protest.  

The protest caused widespread traffic disruptions in areas like Mohakhali, Banani, Tejgaon, and Bijoy Sarani, leading to significant public inconvenience. Many commuters, including air travelers en route to the airport, were caught in long traffic jams. Several heated exchanges occurred between stranded commuters and the demonstrators.  

The demands of the protesters include, full reinstatement of jobs with all salaries, benefits, and allowances from the time of dismissal; those who cannot be reinstated must be included in the government pension system with all associated benefits; reforms to the legal frameworks and one-sided judicial practices that led to mass dismissals from the armed forces. 

Later, a delegation of protesters met with a high-ranking team from the armed forces. After the meeting, the chief coordinator of 'Sohoyoddha,' Md. Naeemul Islam, announced that the armed forces had assured them of forming a review board within five working days to discuss their demands. 

Following this assurance, the protesters moved aside, allowing partial traffic flow, which gradually normalized.