Protests continue for 4th Day demanding removal of KMP commissioner

Activists of Student Against Discrimination (SAD) staged protests in front of the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) headquarters for the fourth consecutive day, demanding the removal of KMP Commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Hayder.

Demonstrators began gathering around 3:30pm today, occupying both sides of the road in front of the KMP headquarters and chanting slogans.

Students from various colleges and universities in Khulna were joined by members of the BNP's student, youth, and volunteer wings.

The demonstration was briefly disrupted by heavy rain, forcing some protesters to seek shelter by the roadside.

However, others continued the blockade by placing benches and motorbikes on the road.

Traffic came to a standstill on Khan Jahan Ali Road, from Tutpara to Rupsha traffic intersection. Protesters also blocked Gagan Babu Road, one of the city's main entry points.

Protesters chanted slogans such as "We've shed blood, and we'll shed more" and "Commissioner Zulfikar is nothing but a dictator."

The protests were sparked last Tuesday, when local residents in the Khan Jahan Ali Police Station area detained Sub-Inspector (SI) Sukanta Das, assaulted him, and handed him over to police. However, the officer was later released, allegedly due to the intervention of KMP Commissioner Zulfikar and other senior officials, triggering outrage among students and locals.

Following the incident, student leaders issued a deadline on Thursday night, demanding the commissioner's removal.

The deadline expired at noon on Saturday, after which demonstrators resumed the blockade outside the police headquarters.

"Law and order in Khulna has collapsed. People no longer feel safe," said Rumi Rahman, spokesperson for SAD's Khulna city unit, adding, "Since Zulfikar Ali Hayder took office as commissioner, the situation has only worsened. He protects influential members of the Awami League while failing to take any action against them. We demand his immediate removal."

Meanwhile, KMP sources confirmed that SI Sukanta Das was arrested from Chuadanga last Thursday and has since been sent to jail following a court order.