The All-Party Unity Council in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Tuesday postponed the ongoing movement until Saturday, demanding re-demarcation of parliamentary constituencies, threatening tougher programmes from Sunday if their demands are not met.
Palash Mia, a resident of Algir Union and representative of the council formed, made this announcement in the afternoon.
"We have decided to postpone the programme after consulting everyone. We will wait until Sunday. If the issue is not addressed by then, we will resume tougher programmes. We will not return home until our demand is fulfilled," he said.
Calling the recent violence a "conspiracy," Faridpur BNP President Advocate Syed Modarres Ali Isha alleged that Awami League-backed "terrorists" carried out destructive attacks instigated by Nixon Chowdhury and Kazi Zafar Ullah, urging the administration to take legal action against the attackers.
Tuesday was the last day of the declared three-day programme.
In the morning, the protesters blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway for nearly two hours by placing electric poles and tree logs. Traffic resumed around 9:30am after the blockades were removed.
A large number of law enforcers, including the army, BGB, RAB, and police, were deployed across the area for patrols.
Expressing concern over the ongoing movement, local Ibrahim Khan demanded the unconditional release of Algir Union Parishad Chairman MM Siddiq Mia, withdrawal of "false cases," an end to night-time harassment by law enforcers, no filing of new cases, and reinstatement of Algir and Hamirdi unions under Faridpur-4.
The protest began following the Election Commission's issuance of a gazette notification reassigning Algir and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2 constituency on 4 September.
The following day, locals launched highway blockades, and they again blocked highways and the Dhaka-Khulna railway line on 9 and 10 September.
On 13 September, the "All-Party Unity Council" announced a three-day protest beginning 14 September. That same night, its chief coordinator Siddiq Mia was arrested by DB police and later shown arrested in a Speedy Trial Act case naming 90 accused and 150 unidentified people.
On Sunday, the protestors blocked both roads and railways.
By Monday, violence escalated as protesters launched sudden attacks on police near Bhanga bus stand, vandalising the upazila parishad office, thana, election office, and highway police station.
Senior officials, including Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General Rezaul Karim Mallick, visited the area Monday night.
Calling the attackers "fascists," the DIG ordered arrests.
Meanwhile, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan Molla sent a letter to the Election Commission seeking reconsideration of the union demarcation.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, DC Kamrul said the matter has been conveyed to higher authorities.
"A writ on the issue is scheduled for hearing on 21 September. Until then, we urge patience," he said, adding that work is underway to assess damages caused by violence.
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