Vehicular movement between Bagerhat and other parts of the country remained halted since Sunday morning as leaders and activists of Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee blocked several roads and highways protesting the EC's proposal to reduce the number of parliamentary constituencies in the district.
Activists of the Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee took positions at various points in the district, including the Central Bus Stand on the Khulna-Bagerhat highway, in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Noapara, on the Khulna-Mawa highway, Katakhali, Mollahat Bridge, and Signboard Bazar on the Bagerhat-Pirojpur highway, around 8am, halting road communication with other parts of the country.
Local leaders and activists of different political parties formed the committee to protest the move.
The shops and other business establishments were also closed, as the businessmen shut down their businesses in solidarity with them. The programme will continue till 4 pm.
Maryam Begum, a passenger from Pirojpur to Khulna, said, "I was going to Khulna for medical treatment. As the roads are blocked, I had to choose break journey by foot or van, paying double."
Earlier, the committee announced a three-day programme to press home their demand. They came up with the announcement at a press briefing on 19 August.
The three-day programme includes road blockade from Kathakali-Noapara highway from 9am to 1pm on 21 August, blockade on Khulna-Mawa highway at Nauapara, Katakhali, Fakirhat, Mollahat Bridge, Signboard intersection on Pirojpur-Bagerhat highway on 24 August from 9 am to 4 pm, sit-ins programme in front of deputy commissioner and district election offices.
Besides, a protest rally and sit-in will be held in front of the Election Commission office in Dhaka on Monday at the same time.
On July 30, the Election Commission proposed reducing one constituency in Bagerhat from four to three for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.
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