Savar Residents Protest Alleged Keraniganj Merger Plan

Thousands of residents took to the streets in Savar on Friday, protesting allegations that three local union parishads—Tetuljhora, Aminbazar and Bhakurta—are set to be detached from Savar Upazila and incorporated into neighbouring Keraniganj Upazila. The demonstration, held in the Hemayetpur area, also caused severe traffic congestion along both sides of the busy Dhaka–Aricha Highway, leaving commuters stranded for extended periods.

The protest programme, organised by residents of Tetuljhora Union, drew several thousand participants. Demonstrators marched through key roads in the area before gathering for a public rally, where local leaders and residents voiced strong opposition to the alleged administrative proposal.

During the rally, speakers claimed that signatures had been collected from local residents under the pretext of issuing family cards. They alleged that those signatures were later being used to support a proposal to separate Tetuljhora, Aminbazar and Bhakurta unions from Savar Upazila and place them under the jurisdiction of Keraniganj Upazila.

Former Tetuljhora Union Chairman Jamal Uddin Sarkar strongly rejected the reported proposal, saying local residents had no intention of being separated from Savar. He argued that almost every aspect of daily life in the three unions—including access to public services, education, healthcare, government offices and administrative activities—is centred on Savar.

According to him, if signatures collected for family card registration were used for any purpose unrelated to that process, it would amount to a serious breach of public trust. He warned that local people would not accept any decision that altered the administrative status of the unions without their knowledge or consent.

Other speakers echoed similar concerns, arguing that the three unions have long-standing social, economic and administrative ties with Savar. Residents rely heavily on Savar for government services, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, commercial activities and transportation links. They maintained that any proposal to redraw administrative boundaries should involve meaningful public consultation before decisions are taken.

The speakers also pledged to resist any move aimed at removing the three unions from Savar Upazila. They warned that if their demand to retain the existing administrative structure was ignored, they would announce more extensive and tougher protest programmes in the coming days.

The demonstration had an immediate impact on road traffic. Vehicle movement slowed considerably on the Hemayetpur section of the Dhaka–Aricha Highway during the afternoon, resulting in lengthy queues on both sides of the road. The congestion caused significant inconvenience for commuters, including passengers travelling on inter-district routes and those heading to workplaces or other destinations.

The allegations surrounding the proposed administrative change have drawn attention because alterations to local government boundaries can directly affect public administration, service delivery and residents’ access to government offices. For that reason, such proposals often generate considerable public interest and scrutiny.

As of Friday, however, no immediate statement had been issued by the relevant government authorities regarding the allegation that Tetuljhora, Aminbazar and Bhakurta unions would be incorporated into Keraniganj Upazila. Without an official response, the claims raised by protesters remain unaddressed, and the government’s position on the matter has yet to be clarified.