Protesters again block highways in Faridpur

Residents of Bhanga Upazila in Faridpur once again blocked two major highways on Wednesday in protest against the recent redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

Starting at 9 a.m., protesters obstructed traffic on the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways, leading to severe congestion at four key entry points. Both passenger buses and freight trucks were stranded for hours.

The unrest follows the Election Commission’s publication of the final gazette on September 4, which reassigned Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 constituency to Faridpur-2 (Saltha-Nagarkanda). This change has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among local residents and political leaders.

This is not the first demonstration against the boundary changes. Protesters had previously blocked two highways, including the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway’s Bhanga Golchattar, demanding restoration of the original constituency borders.

On Tuesday, from 8 a.m. until evening, demonstrators set fire to tires, uprooted trees and electric poles, and erected bamboo barricades at nine locations along the affected highways.

The blockade effectively severed road connections between Dhaka and 21 southwestern districts, causing significant disruption and hardship for travelers and commuters.