Protesters lift highway blockade in Bhanga after 4 hrs

After four hours of intense protests and highway blockades, residents of Bhanga lifted their blockade on major routes, opposing the Election Commission’s recent decision to reassign Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2 constituency.

The locals agreed to end the disruption following assurances from the Upazila administration to address their demands.

Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman assured the protesters that their demands would be forwarded to higher authorities.

Traffic resumed on the Dhaka-Khulna highway by 12:15pm and on the Dhaka-Barishal highway after 12:30pm, restoring normal movement.

The protesters said the UNO met them at the site around noon, agreed with their concerns, and urged them to lift the blockade to alleviate public suffering. The locals agreed but issued a three-day ultimatum for their demands to be addressed.

Kazi Arif, a Bhanga resident, warned, “If the decision is not reversed by Tuesday, we will resume protests with more stringent actions.”

UNO Mizanur Rahman emphasized, “Bhanga is a traditional upazila, and every effort will be made to prevent its division.

Ashraf Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bhanga Police Station, confirmed that the blockade involved burning tires and tree trunks at five points but stressed that no violence occurred and the law and order situation remained under control.

The protest began at 8.30am Friday morning (September 5), blocking several points along the Faridpur-Bhanga-Barishal highway, including Pukuria, Suyadi, and the Monsurabad bus stand area.

Hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from the southern region was brought to a standstill .