1,604 road blockades carried out in Dhaka in 13 months: Home Adviser

A total of 1,604 road blockades were carried out in Dhaka and its surrounding areas over the past 13 months, causing severe public inconvenience, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday after a meeting of the Law and Order Core Committee at the Secretariat, the adviser said the blockades were organized by 123 different groups since the interim government assumed office.

"These frequent blockades are a major cause of traffic congestion and public suffering," he said. "If even one corner of a road is blocked, it affects the entire city. We urge all organizations to refrain from holding protests on public roads."

The adviser called on protestors to use designated venues such as Suhrawardy Udyan or other open grounds to minimize disruption.

"Public suffering can be greatly reduced if such programs are held in specific locations instead of on the streets," he added.