Demonstrators halt traffic on Bhanga Road, Faridpur, for three hours in objection to the redrawing of constituencies by the Election Commission

In the heart of Faridpur, a peaceful gathering turned into a significant disruption as locals from Algi union responded to the Election Commission's gazette notification, which redrew the boundaries of two parliamentary constituencies in the region.

The event, which took place at Bhanga Gol Chattar in the afternoon of September 5, resulted in the blockage of Dhaka's road connectivity with the southern districts. The blockade, enforced by the protesters, was aimed at expressing their dissent over the recent inclusion of two unions into Nagarkanda upazila.

The blockade, which began around 3:50 pm, stretched across several kilometres of the two highways, stranding hundreds of vehicles and creating long tailbacks. Protesters issued a three-day ultimatum to reverse the decision, and the blockade lasted for about three hours, being lifted around 7 pm, following assurances from the upazila administration.

Earlier in the day, protesters had taken matters into their own hands, cutting down trees and setting fire to tyres at Hamirdi and Suyadi bus stands.

Md Ashraf Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge of Bhanga Police Station, was present during the incident, but no new information about the resumption of the blockade for a second time or the ultimatum to reverse the decision was provided.

Under the recent change, Algi and Hamirdi unions were removed from Faridpur-4 constituency and included in Faridpur-2 constituency. The blockade in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila marked a significant protest against this decision, resulting in the blockage of two highways and causing disruption in road connectivity.

Demonstrators halt traffic on Bhanga Road, Faridpur, for three hours in objection to the redrawing of constituencies by the Election Commission