Dhaka, Oct. 8 -- Activists of Islamist group Hifazat-e Islam have staged street protests in Chattogram's Hathazari for more than three hours after one of their leaders was killed in a road accident.

The protesters began the blockade around 8am on Wednesday, occupying sections of the Chattogram-Khagrachhari and Chattogram-Rangamati highways. Traffic remained halted until about 11:30am, police said.

Witnesses said Hifazat supporters gathered at the Tribeni intersection near the local bus stand and outside the Darul Ulum Muinul Islam Madrasa, a key religious institution linked to the group.

The protests brought road connectivity between Chattogram and the hill districts of Rangamati and Khagrachhari to a standstill. Hundreds of vehicles w...