Highways blocked in Bagerhat over constituency retention
On July 30, the Election Commission proposed reducing one constituency in Bagerhat from four to three for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.
Vehicular movement between Bagerhat and other parts of the country remained halted this morning (24 August) as leaders and activists of Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee blocked several roads and highways protesting the EC's proposal to reduce the number of parliamentary constituencies in the district.
Activists of Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee took position at different points of the district, including Central Bus Stand of Khulna-Bagerhat highway, in front of deputy commissioner's office, Noapara on Khulna-Mawa highway, Katakhali, Mollahat Bridge, Signboard Bazar on Bagerhat-Pirojpur highway, around 8am, halting road communication with other parts of the country.
Local leaders and activists of different political parties formed the committee to protest the move.
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Additionally, the shops and other business establishments were also closed as the businessmen closed their business establishment expressing solidarity with them.
Sheikh Mohammad Yunus, member-secretary of the Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee and the district secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, said in demand of retaining four constituencies in Bagerhat, they have been staging protests since 30 July when three constituencies were proposed.
"We've organised press conferences, road blockades, sit-in programmes at the election office. Yet, the Election Commission has not backed away from its proposal. That is why today we called for a strike and blockade across the district," he said.
He added that people from all walks of life are "supporting the strike and blockade" in favour of their demand.
"We hope the Election Commission accepts our demand. Otherwise, we will announce even tougher programmes," he warned.
Meanwhile, roads were blocked by felled trees, and with no buses running, the only option was to walk long distances to reach destinations.
However, ambulances and vehicles carrying patients were exempt from the strike. Some youth were seen playing cricket on the street.
Mohammad Molla, who set out in the morning from Khulna for Kalikabari said he left Khulna at dawn but was forced to get off multiple times due to the strike.
"The movement has only increased the suffering of ordinary people," he said.
Earlier, the committee announced a three-day programme to press home their demand.
They came up with the announcement at a press briefing on 19 August.
The three-day programmes include—road blockade from Kathakali-Noapara highway from 9am to 1pm on 21 August, blockade on Khulna-Mawa highway at Nauapara, Katakhali, Fakirhat, Mollahat Bridge, Signboard intersection on Pirojpur-Bagerhat highway on 24 August from 9am to 4pm, sit-ins programme in front of deputy commissioner and district election offices.
Besides, a protest rally and sit-in will be held in front of the Election Commission office in Dhaka tomorrow at the same time, reports UNB.
On 30 July, the Election Commission proposed reducing one constituency in Bagerhat from four to three for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.
