Staff Reporter :
Hundreds of workers from Kohinoor Chemical Company staged a protest and blocked the busy Mohakhali-Satrasta road in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area on Tuesday, following allegations that a senior company official made derogatory comments about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The protest erupted around 2:45pm near the Tibbet intersection, rapidly escalating as workers expanded the blockade along the vital Mohakhali-Satrasta route. Protesters broke road dividers and used traffic barricades to seal off access to surrounding areas, creating severe traffic disruption across the capital.
Chanting slogans and demanding capital punishment for the accused, the demonstrators remained adamant even after the company terminated the official in question and confirmed that legal action had been initiated.
Tejgaon Industrial Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Gazi Md Shamimur Rahman told reporters that despite the dismissal, the workers refused to disperse.
“We have repeatedly tried to calm the situation and emphasized that legal procedures must be followed,” said OC Rahman. “But the protesters insist on the execution of the accused. It seems likely that a third party may be fueling the unrest, as the workers are not responding to logic or lawful measures.”
Senior company officials and law enforcement agencies have engaged in dialogue with protest leaders, but tensions remain high.
Authorities have deployed a substantial number of police and military personnel to manage the volatile situation and prevent further escalation.
As of 4:45pm, the road remained blocked, and efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution were ongoing.
