Faridpur protesters postpone re-demarcation movement

The All-Party Unity Council in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district today (16 September) postponed the ongoing movement until Saturday demanding re-demarcation of parliamentary constituencies, threatening tougher programmes from Sunday if their demands are not met.

Md Palash Mia, a resident of Algi Union and representative of the council formed, announced it in the afternoon.

"We have decided to postpone the programme after consulting everyone. We will wait until Sunday. If the issue is not addressed by then we will resume tougher programmes. We will not return home until our demand is fulfilled," he said.

Calling the recent violence a "conspiracy", Faridpur BNP President Syed Modarres Ali Isha alleged that Awami League-backed 'terrorists' carried out destructive attacks instigated by Nixon Chowdhury and Kazi Zafar Ullah, urging the administration to take legal action against the attackers.

Today was the last day of the declared three-day programme.

In the morning, the protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway for nearly two hours by placing electric poles and tree logs. Traffic resumed around 9:30 am after the blockades were removed.

A large number of law enforcers, including army, BGB, RAB and police, were deployed across the area for patrols.

Expressing concern over the ongoing movement, local Ibrahim Khan demanded the unconditional release of Algir Union Parishad Chairman MM Siddiq Mia, withdrawal of 'false cases,' an end to night-time harassment by law enforcers, no filing of new cases, and reinstatement of Algir and Hamirdi unions under Faridpur-4.

The trouble began on 4 September when the Election Commission issued a gazette notification reassigning Algir and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2 constituency.

The following day, locals launched highway blockades and they again blocked highways and the Dhaka-Khulna railway line on 9 and 10 September.