Dhaka, Oct. 4 -- Several hundred officials of Islami Bank blocked Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Sitakunda on Saturday, to press home their 6-point demand including reinstatement of terminated employees and withdrawal of "officer on special duty" (OSD) orders, causing suffering to commuters.

The blockade which began around 11:30am near Fauzdarhat continued for about one and a half hours, halting traffic on both sides of the busy highway and causing a massive traffic jam. The protesters withdrew the blockade around 1pm after police intervention.

Earlier, the bank officials and employees held a human chain along the highway. They said around 5,500 Islami Bank officials in Chattogram are facing severe financial and mental distress due to term...