Residents Block Highways in Chittagong to Protest Proposed Fatikchhari North Administrative Site
Photo Collected
Residents of northern Fatikchhari in Chittagong staged widespread protests on Tuesday, blocking the Dhaka-Khagrachhari highway and burning tires to demand that the proposed “Fatikchhari North” upazila headquarters be established in a central, accessible location.
The demonstrations, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., paralyzed traffic across the Heako, Balutila, and Narayanhat Bazaar areas. Thousands of local residents participated in the roadblocks and human chains, resulting in significant congestion and stranding hundreds of vehicles along the major transit route for several hours.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The push for a new administrative unit comes as the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reorganization (NICAR) weighs the final approval for “Fatikchhari North.” The proposal, which received preliminary clearance on September 8, 2025, involves carving the new upazila from five existing unions: Baganbazar, Dantamara, Narayanhat, Bhujpur, and Harualchhari. These areas currently fall under the jurisdiction of Bhujpur Police Station, which was established in 2007.
While the government has moved forward with the administrative formation, no specific site has been designated for the new upazila headquarters, fueling public anxiety regarding accessibility and service delivery. During the protests, local speakers highlighted that residents of the northern region have long endured systemic neglect regarding healthcare, education, and general government services.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Protesters argued that the primary purpose of creating an upazila is to bring essential services directly to the people. They contended that if the administrative center is situated in an impractical or remote location, the fundamental objective of the administrative reform would be defeated. The demonstrators emphasized that the final decision must prioritize geographic reality, existing transportation networks, and population density to ensure equitable access for all residents.
The organizers warned authorities that they are prepared to launch more rigorous agitation if their demands for a strategic and logical headquarters location are not met. When contacted regarding the unrest, Bhujpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bipul Chandra Dey acknowledged reports of the blockade but stated that the department was still assessing the situation.
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