Protests Over Administrative Hub Location Halt Traffic in Chittagong’s Fatikchhari
Photo Collected
A 48-hour strike in Chittagong’s newly formed Fatikchhari North sub-district has paralyzed regional transport, as residents of three unions protest the proposed location of the administrative headquarters. The strike, which began at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, has shuttered businesses and halted traffic along the vital Dhaka-Feni-Khagrachhari regional highway.
Residents from the Narayanhat, Baganbazar, and Dantmara unions initiated the strike to demand that the administrative center be moved from its currently designated site in West Bhujpur. Protesters argue that the current location sits on the extreme southern edge of the sub-district, forcing inhabitants of their unions to travel between 30 and 40 kilometers to access basic administrative services. They contend that the current plan defeats the purpose of creating a new sub-district and have called for a more central site between the Dantmara and Narayanhat unions.
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Demonstrations have turned volatile in several areas, with protesters burning tires and marching through streets. While most shops in the affected unions remain closed, essential services, including pharmacies, clinics, and educational institutions, have been spared from the shutdown.
The strike has triggered a counter-movement from residents of the Suabil, Harualchhari, and Bhujpur unions, who are rallying in support of the government’s original site selection. Proponents of the current location maintain that the government conducted a thorough assessment before finalizing the site at West Bhujpur, which already hosts existing police infrastructure and administrative facilities. They accuse the strike organizers of creating unnecessary chaos and obstructing local development for political leverage.
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Hasan Samsuddin, a spokesperson for the protesting unions, stated that the movement is not opposed to the formation of the sub-district itself, but rather the logistical impracticality of the headquarters’ location. Conversely, Bhujpur Union Parishad Chairman Shahajahan Chowdhury characterized the strike as a disruptive act, asserting that the government’s decision was made with full consideration of the region’s needs.
Local authorities have deployed security forces to maintain order amid the escalating tensions. Fatikchhari Upazila Executive Officer Sayeed Muhammad Ibrahim confirmed that the administration is monitoring the dual protests closely, noting that law enforcement remains on high alert to ensure that the situation does not escalate into further violence.
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