Following days of protests, road and rail blockades, and violent demonstrations in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila, the district’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Molla has formally written to the Election Commission (EC), requesting a reconsideration of the recent redistricting that altered the boundaries of Faridpur-4 constituency.

In a letter sent to the EC on Monday (Sept 15), the DC cited a deterioration in law and order triggered by public outrage over the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions—previously part of Faridpur-4 (Bhanga, Sadarpur, and Charbhadrasan)—into Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda and Saltha) under a new constituency boundary finalised by the Commission in a gazette notification on Sep 4.

The letter also said that since the gazette's release, residents of Algi and Hamirdi have launched continuous protests, including road and railway blockades, demanding the reversal of the constituency reconfiguration. 

On September 15, demonstrators reportedly vandalised and set fire to government buildings and vehicles, including the offices of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Upazila Election Officer, Bhanga Police Station, and the Highway Police.

The blockade disrupted transportation links to 21 districts in southern Bangladesh, severely affecting public movement and logistics. The letter warned that failure to address the issue could lead to further unrest and a significant breakdown in law and order.

The DC emphasized that citizens from both Faridpur-2 and Faridpur-4 have rejected the new boundaries, with widespread participation in protests by people across social and political spectrums. 

In light of the volatile situation, he requested that the EC reconsider the decision and reassign Algi and Hamirdi unions to their previous constituency, Faridpur-4 (Constituency 214), instead of Faridpur-2 (Constituency 212).

The controversy stems from the EC's recent finalisation of new boundaries for all 300 parliamentary constituencies, which has sparked tension in Bhanga since early September. Protests have intensified in recent days, culminating in the violent incidents reported on Monday.

SMS/