Highways in Faridpur Blocked with Fire, Vehicle Movement Halted

As part of the Awami League’s announced online “lockdown” program, the Dhaka–Khulna highway in Bhanga, Faridpur, has been blocked. On Thursday, around 6:30 am, Awami League leaders and activists staged a sit-in at the Suadi and Puliya areas.

This has disrupted connectivity between Dhaka and various districts in southern Bangladesh. Additionally, tires were set on fire on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Madhabpur.

Bhanga Highway Police Officer-in-Charge, Md. Rokibuzzaman, stated that the blockade on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Madhabpur was unsuccessful. However, the blockade in Puliya, Bhanga, although temporarily effective, was removed within an hour. The police are continuously working to clear the blockades.

Local sources report that vehicular movement remains suspended. The protesters are stationed on and around the roads. At around 9:30 am, army personnel cleared the blockade from Pukhuria Bus Stand. At 10 am, police and RAB personnel removed the blockade near the Mansurabad Bus Stand in Bhanga. However, the blockade at Suadi Bus Stand area continues.

The Faridpur Transport Owners and Workers Association announced a suspension of inter-district bus services from morning until 3 pm. Mohammad Mohiuddin, manager of Golden Line Bus Counter, stated that bus operations are halted from 6 am to 3 pm, and further decisions will depend on the situation.

Faridpur bus owners’ group leader Kamruzzaman Siddiqui said, “We want to run the buses, but it is impossible without passengers.”

From 6:30 am, Awami League leaders and activists blocked the Dhaka–Khulna highway at Suadi in Algi Union, Bhanga, by placing tree branches and setting tires on fire. Tire fires were also reported on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Madhabpur. Additionally, tree branches were placed on the Dhaka–Khulna highway in Puliya to create a blockade.

Khaborwala/TSN