Faridpur blockade: Over 200 sued, UP chairman arrested

Police have filed a case against 90 identified individuals, including current and former union parishad chairmen, over the blockade of highways and railway lines in Bhanga demanding the restoration of the Faridpur-4 parliamentary constituency boundary. Another 100 to 150 unidentified persons were also accused in the case.

The case was filed on Sunday (September 14) by Habibur Rahman, sub-inspector (SI) of Bhanga Police Station.

According to the case statement, Md Siddiq Mia (60), chairman of Algi Union Parishad, has been named the prime accused. He was arrested early Saturday morning by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. Former Hamirdi Union Parishad chairman Md Khokon Mia (50) was named the second accused.

Police and case details state that on September 11, around 10:00 am, the accused, led by Siddiq Mia, gathered on the Dhaka–Khulna highway in front of the CCBL filling station in Suyadi area of Algi Union. They blocked the road by felling large trees and setting tires on fire, creating fear and obstructing traffic.

When police urged them to refrain, the accused ignored the warning and became aggressive. To restore order, police issued verbal warnings and eventually dispersed the crowd by chasing them away, after which normalcy returned.

Attempts to reach SI Habibur Rahman, the complainant in the case, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to repeated phone calls.

Confirming the matter, Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ashraf Hossain told that the case was filed Sunday afternoon.

“A total of 90 people have been named, while 100 to 150 others remain unidentified. The main accused, Md Siddiq Mia, was arrested early Saturday,” the OC said.

Faridpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Bhanga Circle) Asif Iqbal also confirmed the development, adding that efforts are underway to arrest the accused.