Road communication between Bagerhat and other parts of the country remained suspended from Sunday morning as the Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee enforced a blockade protesting the Election Commission’s proposal to cut one parliamentary constituency in the district.
Protesters blocked several key points, including the Central Bus Terminal on the Khulna–Bagerhat highway, the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Noapara on the Khulna–Mawa highway, Katakhali, Mollahat Bridge, and Signboard Bazar on the Bagerhat–Pirojpur highway. The blockade began around 8 am, halting long-distance transport.
Shops and businesses in the town also pulled shutters down, with traders expressing solidarity with the demonstrators.
The programme, set to continue until 4 pm, is part of a three-day protest plan announced by the committee at a press briefing on August 19. The platform was formed by local leaders and activists of different political parties.
As per the plan, a road blockade was staged on August 21 along the Kathakali–Noapara highway. Another blockade was scheduled for August 24 on different highways, followed by sit-ins at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the District Election Office.
The committee also announced a rally and sit-in in front of the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka on Monday.
The Election Commission on July 30 proposed reducing Bagerhat’s constituencies from four to three ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, triggering widespread protests across the district.