Protests erupt in Old Dhaka over brutal murder of scrap trader as arrests mount

Public anger continues to intensify in Old Dhaka following the gruesome killing of a scrap trader, as student activists and citizens demand swift justice amid ongoing arrests.

On Saturday, July 12, members of Jagannath University Chhatra Dal, the student wing of Bangladesh’s opposition BNP, staged a protest rally in Old Dhaka. The demonstration was a direct response to the brutal murder of 39-year-old Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, who was beaten and hacked to death near Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (Mitford) on Wednesday evening.

According to police, the killing was the result of a violent clash between rival groups fighting for control over the local scrap business. Four individuals have since been arrested in connection with the murder, including two named suspects — Mahmudul Hasan Mohin, 41, and Tarek Rahman Robin, 22. A foreign pistol was recovered during one of the arrests.

Despite the arrests, outrage is growing over the frequency and brutality of such crimes.

The protest march, led by Jagannath University’s Chhatra Dal unit, began at the Kathaltola area and moved through the campus, ending in a gathering near Raysaheb Bazar. Protesters held placards and chanted slogans demanding the immediate arrest of all involved and the delivery of harsh punishment.

Speaking at the rally, JnU Chhatra Dal Convener Mehedi Hasan Himel condemned the violence, calling the killing “beyond imagination in any civilized society.”

“This isn’t just about Sohag,” Himel added. “A Jubo Dal activist was killed in Khulna, and a 74-year-old imam was murdered inside a mosque. We demand justice for every life lost to such violence. A criminal is a criminal — no matter which party they belong to.”

Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin accused the government of failing to protect citizens and claimed criminals are being shielded by political powers. “When killers know they’re protected, they act without fear. This cycle must stop,” he said.

The demonstration was part of a centrally announced protest program by the national Chhatra Dal leadership, signaling a broader wave of dissent over rising violence and the perceived failure of law enforcement.

Police say investigations are ongoing, and legal action is being taken against all suspects. However, with protests erupting and national attention focused on the case, pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice — and restore public confidence in the rule of law.