Constituency demarcation: Demonstrators attack govt offices, police station in Faridpur’s Bhanga
By around 3:30pm, the situation began to calm down to some extent, and the highway saw limited vehicular movement
Highlights:
- Protesters attack, set fire to several govt establishments
- Police chased by demonstrators, take shelter in nearby mosque
- Thousands join protests, vow to continue until demands met
- EC shifted two unions from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2, sparking the protests
- Home affairs adviser warned yesterday blockades will not be tolerated
Tensions flared in Faridpur's Bhanga Upazila today (15 September) as protesters – opposing a parliamentary constituency demarcation and a case filed by the police – vandalised the Bhanga Police Station and Bhanga Upazila Parishad, and set fire to the offices of the UNO, Election Commission and Bhanga Officers' Club.
Protesters laid siege to the Bhanga Police Station, vandalised multiple police vehicles, set one ablaze, and pelted bricks and stones at members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), confirmed Bhanga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rokibuzzaman.
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According to him, they also damaged parked vehicles and eight motorcycles during the attack.
UNO Md Mizanur Rahman said officials have moved to a safe place.
"No one was personally attacked, though parts of the UNO office were vandalised. Protesters also vandalised and set fire to the Election Commission office," he said.
According to locals, when a police team tried to bring the situation under control, they were chased by the demonstrators and forced to take shelter in the nearby mosque.
As a result of the violent protests, road communications between Dhaka and 21 districts of the southern region were completely cut off.
Besides, journalists performing their duties were obstructed, with several injured in the incident.
By around 3:30pm, the situation began to calm down to some extent, and the highway saw limited vehicular movement.
The unrest drew widespread participation from locals across all nine other unions and one municipality of Bhanga, in addition to Algi and Hamirdi unions, who declared that the protests will continue until their demands are met.
Although their blockade programme began peacefully in the morning, protesters resumed road blockades before noon.
After 1pm, thousands of people from different unions gathered and launched simultaneous attacks on several government establishments, creating an atmosphere of fear.
As law enforcement tried to keep traffic moving, chases and counter-chases took place, leading to damage to government property.
Earlier on 4 September, the Election Commission published the final gazette fixing the boundaries of the 300 constituencies. Under the new arrangement, Algi and Hamirdi unions of Faridpur's Bhanga Upazila were cut from Faridpur-4 and added to Faridpur-2, sparking the demonstrations.
Last night, a case was filed against 90 named accused, including Algi Union Parishad Chairman and Sarbodalio Sangram Parishad coordinator MM Siddique Mia, and 100–150 unnamed individuals over the protests.
Notably, Siddique was arrested in Nagarkanda on Saturday night (13 September).
According to the case statement, Siddique led protesters who blocked the highway near the CCBL petrol pump in the Suadi area, demanding the retention of Bhanga in the Faridpur-4 constituency.
Yesterday, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned protesters to withdraw by afternoon or face legal action.
He told reporters at the Secretariat that road and rail blockades would not be tolerated and law enforcement would be used to restore order if necessary.
