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' orders, causing suffering to commuters.

The blockade which began at about 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 at about 1:00pm after police intervention.

Earlier, the bank officials and employees held a human chain along the highway.

They said that around 5,500 Islami Bank officials in Chattogram were facing severe financial and mental distress due to termination and OSD status.

Despite repeated appeals to the authorities no action had been taken, they claimed, forcing them to take to the streets.

Sitakunda Police Station officer-in-charge Mujibur Rahman said that the dismissed officials occupied the highway which temporarily disrupted traffic. 'We immediately intervened and restored normal movement. No untoward incident occurred.'

Earlier on Friday, the terminated officials had announced a work stoppage from Sunday through a press conference.