Workers block Dhaka-Sylhet highway for 2 hrs over excessive load-shedding in Narsingdi

Textile workers in Narsingdi's Madhabdi upazila blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet highway and laid siege to a zonal office of the Palli Bidyut Samity on Sunday morning, August 30, protesting excessive load-shedding.

The workers staged their protest in front of the electricity office and on the highway from 10am to 12pm, causing a three-kilometre tailback on both sides of the highway and severe suffering for passengers and the public.

Police from Madhabdi Police Station, administrative officials and local leaders rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The workers later withdrew their blockade after officials assured them that the power supply situation would be improved. Traffic movement on the highway subsequently returned to normal.

The protesting workers said frequent load-shedding had been disrupting production at local industrial units for a long time, affecting their livelihoods as well. They demanded an uninterrupted power supply in the Madhabdi industrial area.

"Because of load-shedding, we cannot produce fabrics properly. As a result, we are not receiving our wages regularly. If the situation continues like this, we will have no option but to take to the streets," said Aman Ullah, a textile worker.

"We suspended our programme following assurances from the administration. But if the situation does not improve, we will be forced to launch a continuous movement," he added.

Mohsin Kabir, Deputy General Manager of Narsingdi Palli Bidyut Samity-1, said load-shedding was a nationwide problem and that the authorities were not deliberately disrupting power supply. "However, after discussing the issue with senior officials, we will try to improve the power supply situation in Madhabdi within the next week," he said.

Narsingdi Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Meftaul Hasan, Madhabdi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain and other administrative officials spoke with the protesting workers. The OC said the workers withdrew the blockade after being assured that the power situation would be improved.