Faridpur constituency demarcation protest: Highway traffic returns to normal, case filed against 240
Local residents reported that leaders and activists of both the Awami League and BNP were among the accused
Traffic on the Dhaka–Khulna highway in Bhanga upazila, Faridpur, returned to normal today (15 September) after five days of blockade protests against the redistricting of the Faridpur-2 and Faridpur-4 constituencies.
Law enforcement agencies remain on patrol to prevent further unrest.
Police said no protesters were seen on the highway in the morning, and vehicles were moving without disruption. Officers have been stationed at usual gathering points to deter demonstrations.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Meanwhile, a case was filed against 90 named accused, including Algi Union Parishad Chairman and Sarbodalio Sangram Parishad Coordinator MM Siddique Mia as the main suspect, and 100–150 unnamed individuals in connection with the protests last night (14 September).
Notably, Siddique Mia was arrested in Nagarkanda on Saturday (13 September) night.
According to the case statement, Siddique Mia 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.
They allegedly felled trees, burned tyres, and obstructed traffic. Police said the protesters fled after officers intervened.
Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Ashraf Hossain confirmed the case and said one person had been arrested.
Local residents reported that leaders and activists of both the Awami League and BNP were among the accused.
The Election Commission's gazette attached Algi and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga to Faridpur-2 from Faridpur-4, triggering the blockade.
For five days, traffic in 21 southwestern districts, including on the Dhaka–Khulna and Faridpur–Barishal highways, was severely disrupted.
Yesterday, Home 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.
