BNP, Jamaat block highway over Gazipur-6 seat issue

Supporters of BNP and others on Wednesday morning blocked the busy Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for around one and a half hours in the Tongi College Gate area, demanding restoration of the Gazipur-6 parliamentary seat.

Hundreds of vehicles remained stuck on both sides of the busy route, causing suffering of commuters, transport workers and others.

BNP men and locals put up the barricade around 9:30 am, disrupting commuters and public transport, reports UNB.

Witnesses said that hundreds of BNP men and others gathered on the highway early morning, carrying banners and placards, and chanted slogans demanding, ‘Gazipur-6 seat must be restored.’ The blockade started around 9:30 am and continued till 11:00 am.

Rejecting the court order, local BNP leaders said the court’s decision to cancel this seat deprives the people of their voting rights.

During the blockade, protesters burned tyres on the highway, further intensifying the traffic jam on the route.

Meanwhile, supporters of Jamaat and locals formed a human chain in front of Asia Pump on the same demand at the same time.

Their banners read, “Restore the Gazipur-6 seat, ensure citizens’ fair service.”

Speakers warned that abolishing the seat would hamper public services and development in the area and urged authorities to reconsider the decision.

Additional forces were deployed in Tongi College Gate, Station Road, and the surrounding areas to maintain law and order.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Wahiduzzaman of Tongi Purbo Police Station said that the protestors left the road following a discussion with the authorities concerned, allowing the traffic to run.