B'baria blockade halts trains on Dhaka–Ctg, Sylhet routes

Rail and road blockade by local residents in Brahmanbaria has disrupted train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet routes as protesters demand the restoration of six villages to Basudeb Union and oppose a proposed division of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila.

The protesters blocked the railway tracks near Kodda Cabin and the Akhaura Land Port Road in Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila on Sunday morning (November 8), wearing shrouds on their heads as a symbol of protest.

The blockade has left several trains, including the Parabat Express, Parjotak Express, Mahanagar Express and Subarna Express, facing uncertainty over their operations on the two major routes.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the on-duty station master at Brahmanbaria Railway Station, confirmed the disruption.

According to local residents, six villages Kodda, Baishnabpur, Shyamnagar, Korabari, Chandi and Barishal were separated from Basudeb Union in Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila in May this year to form a new union parishad named Barishal under Akhaura Upazila. A gazette notification on the decision was published on June 4.

Residents of Basudeb Union have been protesting the decision since its announcement, but their demands have yet to be addressed.

Recently, a proposal was also made to merge three unions of Brahmanbaria Sadar Basudeb, Sultanpur and Ramrail with Barishal Union to form a new upazila named Barishal under Akhaura. 

Locals alleged that district BNP leader Kabir Ahmed Ahmed Bhuiyan was behind the proposal. They said the Local Government Division had recently sent an official letter seeking a feasibility assessment following his application. The proposal sparked fresh anger among residents.

Rafiqul Islam said, the Sylhet-bound intercity Parabat Express was stranded at Brahmanbaria Railway Station due to the blockade. The Cox's Bazar-bound non-stop intercity Parjotak Express was also scheduled to remain there for security reasons.

Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khairul Alam said, police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the blockade and were maintaining security to prevent any damage to life and property.

-MT