Faridpur roads blocked as locals protest constituency shift

Residents of Algi and Hamirdi unions in Bhanga Upazila, Faridpur, have erupted in anger after a gazette included these areas in the Faridpur-2 constituency instead of Faridpur-4. In protest, locals have blocked highways by felling trees at Pukuria and Suyadi, leaving thousands of vehicles stranded.

The blockade began on Friday (September 5) morning on the Faridpur-Barisal highway at Pukuria and on the Bhanga-Gopalganj route at Suyadi and Monsurabad. Since 8 am, all traffic passing through Bhanga has come to a standstill.

According to locals, the Election Commission (EC) published a revised list of boundaries for the 300 parliamentary constituencies for the 13th National Parliament elections on Thursday. The list shows that Algi and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga Upazila, previously part of Faridpur-4, have been moved to Faridpur-2 along with Nagarkanda and Saltha Upazilas. Residents have been expressing anger over the decision since the list was released.

Eyewitnesses reported that thousands of people have been protesting by felling trees and burning tires on the highways at Pukuria, Suyadi, and Monsurabad. They demanded the reinstatement of a Faridpur-5 constituency comprising solely Bhanga Upazila, instead of dividing Faridpur-4.

Officer-in-Charge of Bhanga Highway Police Station, Md. Rokibuzzaman, said protests and processions are ongoing at two points on the Faridpur-Bhanga-Barisal highway—from Faridpur to Bhanga Interchange at Pukuria and Hamirdi bus stands. Additionally, villagers are blocking the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga-Khulna highway from Bhanga Interchange to the Gopalganj route at Monsurabad Bus Stand. As a result, traffic on the highways has been halted for nearly three hours.