Thousands of protesters in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district blocked key highways on Tuesday morning, cutting off road communication between Dhaka and 23 districts in the southern and southwestern regions of the country.
The protests erupted in response to the recent redistricting announced by the Election Commission, which transferred two unions—Algi and Hamirdi—from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2 parliamentary constituency. The move has sparked outrage among residents, who say the change disregards local administrative unity and historic ties.
The demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barisal highways from multiple points, including the hospital intersection in Bhanga municipality, Swadi in Algi union, Mansurabad in Hamirdi union, and Madhabpur and Pukhuria bus stand areas in Manikdah union. Protesters set tyres ablaze and felled trees across the roads to block traffic.
As a result, all vehicular movement along these vital corridors was halted, leaving Dhaka cut off from key districts including Barisal, Khulna, Patuakhali, Satkhira, and others.
The tension stems from a gazette notification issued by the Election Commission last Thursday, which revised the boundaries of several parliamentary constituencies ahead of the upcoming general election. Under the new delineation, Algi and Hamirdi unions, both part of Bhanga upazila, were placed under Faridpur-2, which comprises Nagarkanda and Saltha.
Locals argue that the decision is unjustified and breaks up the administrative unity of Bhanga upazila, which consists of one municipality and 12 unions. Since 2008, the entire upazila has been part of Faridpur-4, alongside Sadarpur and Charbhadrasan. Prior to that, it fell under Faridpur-5.
"This is a betrayal of our identity. Algi and Hamirdi have always been part of Bhanga's political and social fabric. We reject this decision and demand immediate reversal," said one protester at the scene.
Demonstrators also chanted slogans calling for the preservation of Bhanga’s territorial integrity within a single constituency and threatened to continue protests if the decision was not withdrawn.
Local authorities said they are monitoring the situation but have yet to issue an official response. Emergency services and long-distance travelers faced major delays and diversions due to the blockade.
The protests underscore growing public frustration with the Election Commission's constituency reconfiguration, which some claim was done without adequate consultation or consideration of local sentiment.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the blockade remained in place, and transport officials said efforts to restore traffic would depend on political mediation and security measures to prevent further escalation.
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