Violence in Bhanga Over Constituency Boundary Change

Tension in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila eased somewhat after 3:00pm today, following hours of violent demonstrations against recent constituency boundary revisions. The unrest left the upazila parishad complex and police station badly damaged.

Until about 2:30pm, several thousand protesters had occupied Bhanga roundabout and adjoining areas. By mid-afternoon, most dispersed, leaving the central roundabout largely empty, though smaller groups of protesters lingered in nearby alleys.

Highway disruption continues: traffic on the Dhaka–Khulna and Faridpur–Barishal routes remains suspended. Demonstrators are still blocking points such as Pukuria Hamirdi and Nawpara bus stands on the Dhaka–Barishal highway, as well as Mansurabad and Soadi bus stands along the Dhaka–Khulna route. This has left passengers stranded for hours.

Between 12:45pm and 1:15pm, protesters launched attacks on the upazila complex and the police station. They also set fire to a garage next to the Officers’ Club. Several journalists were assaulted, and their mobile phones seized.

A visit to Bhanga Police Station showed at least five vehicles and two motorcycles smashed outside the building, while the old police station premises also suffered damage.

The heaviest destruction occurred at the upazila parishad complex: furniture in the conference hall was broken, windows shattered, and multiple offices in both the old and new buildings ransacked. Several motorcycles outside were set ablaze.

Md Shamsu, a guard at the UNO office, described how hundreds stormed the compound around 12:45pm, throwing bricks before breaking into offices. “They vandalised everything in sight but did not harm anyone physically,” he said.

Abul Hossain, an office assistant in the primary education office, recalled fleeing as crowds entered from the east side. When staff returned around 1:45pm, widespread destruction was visible.

The Officers’ Club adjacent to the complex was also targeted—its garage torched, air conditioners destroyed, and CCTV cameras looted.

Faridpur Superintendent of Police Md Abdul Jalil and Bhanga UNO Mizanur Rahman were present later but declined to comment. Other officials could not be reached by phone.

Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Md Rokibuzzaman stated: “Most people have gone home, but the highways remain blocked. Efforts are underway to restore order.”

The unrest followed the arrest of Algi UP Chairman Md Siddique on Saturday night. Police later filed a case under the Speedy Trial Act, naming 90 individuals including two union parishad chairmen, and accusing another 100–150 unnamed persons. The case alleges Siddique led Thursday’s protest, which saw the Dhaka–Khulna highway blocked at Swadi in Algi union.

Despite fears of further arrests, demonstrators remain active near the highways, continuing their three-day protest against the Election Commission’s gazette shifting Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 constituency to Faridpur-2.