Protesters rename Narail's Sheikh Russel Bridge

The nameplate of Sheikh Russel Bridge over the Chitra River in Narail's Puratan Ferry Ghat area has been destroyed and renamed by protesters.

Last evening, activists of the district Students Against Discrimination destroyed the nameplate on the eastern side of the bridge and renamed it "Shaheed Salauddin Bridge".

At around 5:30pm, protesters placed large banners bearing the new name at both ends of the bridge. The demonstration was led by Shafayat Ullah, member secretary of the students' body, along with Joint Member Secretaries Amirul Islam and Mehedi Hasan, chief organiser Kazi Yajur Rahman Babu, among others.

The protesters declared that no public infrastructure should be named after individuals associated with what they called the "fascist Awami League family."

"We have renamed Narail's Sheikh Russel Bridge after Salauddin Suman, who was martyred in the revolution and mass uprising on July 24," they said.

Shafayat Ullah said, "This important bridge, located in the heart of Narail, was named Sheikh Russel Bridge. Today, through the movement of students and the general public, we have renamed it after our martyred brother, Salauddin. We will now officially apply to change the name in government records."

He further added, "We want to make it clear that no establishment in Narail or anywhere in the country will bear the names of collaborators of Awami fascist regime. The anti-discrimination student movement will always be on the streets to fulfill the aspirations of the people."

The bridge was inaugurated by the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina on October 11, 2018.