Brahmanbaria re-demarcation: Upon assurance, protesters lift Dhaka-Sylhet highway blockade after 2hrs

Local residents in Brahmanbaria, who were protesting against the proposed re-demarcation of Brahmanbaria-2 constituency by the Election Commission (EC) in Bijoynagar upazila, have withdrawn their blockade on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway after more than two hours, following assurance from the administration that their demands will be addressed.

The blockade started around 10:45am today (20 August) under the banner of "Sorbo Doliyo Sangram Parisahd" at Chandura Bus Stand area of Bijoynagar, creating a long tailback of vehicles stretching approximately 20 kilometres on both sides of the highway, and causing subsequent suffering for travellers.

Later, the protesters lifted the blockade around 1pm following assurances from the administration. However, due to prolonged traffic congestion, the pressure of vehicles increased on the highway, leading to slow movement.

Previously, on 30 July, the EC separated Chandura, Harshpur, and Budhanti unions of Bijoynagar upazila from the Brahmanbaria-3 constituency and merged them with the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency in a draft delimitation. The move sparked an outcry among the local residents over the past few days. Local political leaders and activists have also joined the protest.

During the blockade, Sorbo Doliyo Sangram Parishad leaders demanded that the decision to redraw the constituency boundaries must be immediately cancelled, and all the unions of Bijoynagar must remain included within the Brahmanbaria-3. Otherwise, tougher protest programmes such as railway blockade will be launched, they warned.

Convener of the platform, Imam Hossain, said, "Separating the three unions of Bijoynagar and merging them with the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency will not only deprive local residents of development but also cause administrative and economic harm. This is completely unacceptable."

Joint Conveners Maulana Afzal Hossain and Rafiqul Islam, among others, also spoke.

However, during the blockade, passengers endured immense suffering due to heavy traffic congestion coupled with sweltering heat. The traffic jam stretched beyond Madhabpur Bus Stand in neighbouring Habiganj district.

Ashikur Rahman, a passenger of Dhaka-bound Bilash Paribahan from Sylhet, told The Business Standard that due to the ongoing development project on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway, traffic in Brahmanbaria is already slow. It takes several hours to travel from the Bishwa Road intersection in Brahmanbaria to the Ashuganj roundabout because of the congestion. "Given the situation, blocking the highway for an extended period in the name of pressing demands and causing suffering to the public is absolutely unacceptable."

Bijoynagar police station OC Shahidul Islam said a hearing on the protesters' demands will be held at the Election Commission on 24 August. "After receiving assurances that a fair resolution would be reached through the hearing, the protesters lifted the blockade, allowing traffic on the highway to return to normal."