Re-demarcation chaos: Protesters lift Dhaka-Sylhet highway blockade after 6.5 hours
The protest brought traffic to a halt, creating a severe tailback stretching for at least 40 kilometres on both sides of the highway
Protesters have lifted their blockade on Dhaka-Sylhet highway after 6.5 hours following an assurance from the administration to address their demands.
The blockade, organised under the banner of the "Sorbo Doliyo Songram Parishad," began around 11am in the Chandura Bus Stand area in Bijoynagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria. It was withdrawn at around 5pm, restoring normal traffic flow.
The protesters agreed to lift the blockade after Additional District Magistrate Ehsan Murad and Bijoynagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadhana Tripura came to the spot and held discussions with them.
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They were protesting the Election Commission's final gazette notification, published last Thursday (4 September), which moved Chandura and Budhanti unions from the Brahmanbaria-3 (Sadar and Bijoynagar) constituency to the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail and Ashuganj) constituency.
Imam Hossain, president of the "Sorbo Doliyo Songram Parishad," said, "The transfer of the unions is part of a conspiracy against Bijoynagar."
He claimed the delimitation will cause both administrative and economic harm to the two unions and deprive the people of these areas of development.
However, Imam Hossain warned that if their demand is not met promptly, they will announce further protest programmes, including blockades of rail and waterways.
The blockade created a severe traffic jam stretching for at least 40 kilometres on both sides of the highway, causing immense suffering for long-haul passengers.
The protest also saw the participation of activists from the BNP, NCP, and Hefazat-e-Islam.
