48-hour strike begins in Ctg over location of new Fatikchhari North upazila office

Residents of three northern unions in Chattogram's Fatikchhari began a 48-hour strike today (26 July), demanding that the administrative office of the newly formed Fatikchhari North upazila be established in their area.

The strike, organised by the Fatikchhari North Upazila Implementation Coordination Council, brought traffic on the Feni-Khagrachhari regional highway and the Gohira-Heyako road to a near standstill. Most shops also remained closed, disrupting normal life.

Protesters, however, allowed ambulances, emergency vehicles and students appearing in the ongoing HSC and equivalent examinations to pass.

The latest programme follows a daylong strike held on 16 July over the same demand. The council announced the 48-hour strike at a press conference on 21 July.

The protesters want the administrative office to be located where residents of Dantmara, Narayanhat, Bagaan Bazar and other northern areas can easily access government services.

They allege that geographical realities and public convenience were not properly considered in selecting the proposed site.

A visit to Dantmara, Narayanhat, Bagaan Bazar, Heyako, Shantirhat, Balutila and Chikanchhara on Sunday morning found markets largely deserted, while public transport and most other vehicles remained off the roads.

Protesters picketed at key intersections and staged demonstrations in several areas.

In Shantirhat and Dantmara markets, some even played cricket and football on the empty roads.

Nurul Amin Azad, coordinator of the Fatikchhari North Upazila Implementation Coordination Council, said, "The administrative office of the newly formed upazila must be established at a fair and logical location for the people of northern Fatikchhari."

He warned that tougher programmes would be announced if the demand was not met.

Protester Shafiul Azam Chowdhury said the movement had remained peaceful for a long time but no positive initiative had come from the authorities.

"We will continue the movement until our legitimate demand is met," he said.

Another protester, Hasan Shamsuddin, said the movement represented the interests of ordinary people in northern Fatikchhari rather than any individual or group.

Additional police were deployed at key locations to maintain law and order.

Bhujpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bipul Chandra Dey said traffic had remained suspended on several roads because of the strike, but no untoward incidents had been reported.

Protesters said they would announce tougher programmes if no acceptable decision was taken on the location of the office, while local residents urged the authorities to resolve the issue through discussions so administrative activities could begin without further delay.