Rail services on the Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Sylhet routes returned to normal after three hours as demonstrators withdrew their blockade in protest against the formation of a separate union named Barishol with six villages from Basudeb Union in Akhaura, Brahmanbaria, and a move to establish a new upazila.
The blockade in Brahmanbaria was withdrawn following assurances from the local lawmaker and the district council administrator.
Earlier in the morning, residents of Basudeb Union began demonstrating by blocking railway tracks and roads in the Kodda area of Akhaura. During the protest, agitated demonstrators placed railway sleepers on the tracks to obstruct train movement and torched tyres on the road, halting vehicular traffic.
Due to the blockade, train services on the Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Sylhet routes remained suspended until 11am. Vehicular movement on the Akhaura–Brahmanbaria Sadar road was also halted.
Around 11:15am, local leaders held discussions with the administration, which assured them that their demands would be addressed within three days. Following the assurance, the protesters called off the blockade and cleared the roads and railway tracks.
Locals said that in May this year, six villages were separated from Basudeb Union under Sadar Upazila to form a new union named Barishol. The villages are Kodda, Baishnabpur, Shyamnagar, Korabari, Chandi and Barishol. The newly formed union was incorporated into Akhaura Upazila.
A gazette notification regarding the decision was published on 4 June.
Residents of Basudeb Union have been protesting against the decision from the outset. They demand that the six villages be restored to Basudeb Union. However, the lack of a resolution over an extended period has fuelled growing resentment among local residents.
Meanwhile, a proposal has recently emerged to merge three unions of Sadar Upazila, Basudeb, Sultanpur and Ramrail, with Barishol Union to form a new upazila named Barishol.
Locals allege that, following an application by district BNP leader Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, the Local Government Division recently sent an official letter to assess the feasibility of the proposal.
The development sparked fresh resentment among local residents after it became public. In protest, they took to the streets and blocked roads and railway tracks.
