In Gazipur's Sreepur, followers of Maulana Jubaer staged a protest on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Wednesday morning, blocking both lanes of the road for over two hours. The demonstration was part of an ongoing dispute between two factions of the Tabligh Jamaat. The highway blockade caused severe traffic congestion, leaving vehicles and commuters stranded and facing significant difficulties.

The protest began at 10:00 AM at the Maona Palli Bidyut intersection, where the demonstrators, under the banner of "Ulamaye Keram and General Public," gathered and blocked the highway. Eyewitnesses reported that supporters of Maulana Jubaer had started to assemble in the area earlier in the morning. By 10:30 AM, a large group of protesters holding banners had gathered at the intersection and its surrounding areas, chanting slogans and marching.

The protestors also lit fires on the road, further disrupting traffic. Due to the blockade, vehicular movement along the busy highway was completely halted for nearly two hours, creating gridlock and severe inconvenience for travelers.

According to the protesters, the demonstration was sparked by a recent incident in the Tongi Ijtema area, where a follower of Maulana Jubaer was reportedly killed in an attack by supporters of Maulana Saad. The Jubaer faction is demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing and a ban on Maulana Saad’s entry into Bangladesh.

During the protest, Maulana Zahidul Islam, a teacher at Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Qaumi Madrasa and a supporter of Maulana Jubaer, stated, “We demand exemplary punishment for everyone involved in the killing. Measures must be taken to ensure that no member of the terrorist group is allowed to enter the Tongi Ijtema grounds or Bangladesh.” He further warned that their protests and demonstrations would continue until their demands were met.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after the demonstration began. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sreepur Model Police Station, Md. Joynal Abedin Mondal, said, “We rushed to the spot after learning about the blockade. We are trying to reason with the protesters, and for now, the situation remains peaceful.”

Sub-Inspector (SI) Mustafizur Rahman from Maona Highway Police stated, “The highway faced severe congestion for a long time. We engaged in discussions with the protesters and convinced them to clear the road. Traffic is now gradually returning to normal, and the jam will clear up soon.”

This protest is the latest in a series of clashes and disputes between the two factions of Tabligh Jamaat in Bangladesh, highlighting the deep divisions within the organization. Police and authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further disruptions and ensure public safety.